Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales may have missed out on a huge opportunity to compete once again, but the Filipino karateka remains positive.
Gonzales’ much-awaited clash against “Wolf of the Grasslands” Hexigetu of China at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD in Bangkok, Thailand last Friday was pulled after the Filipino standout failed to meet the requirement of the hydration test.
Though ONE has abolished heavy weight-cutting altogether, competing athletes of the event are still tested multiple times for both weight and hydration during match week – just to make sure that the athletes are healthy entering the contest.
Failure to achieve adequate levels of hydration results in an automatic bout cancellation.
That is exactly what happened with Gonzales.
“It’s no joke. It’s very hard for us fighters. I have my shortcomings. I reached weight, but I failed on the hydration part,” Gonzales explained.
“I cried upon hearing the news. I’m sad because there are a lot of people who helped me out for this, a lot of people who believed in me. I was ready to fight that night, but I respect the decision.”
By regulations, hydration values less than or equal to 1.0250 earn a passing mark, while values greater than or equal to 1.0251 earn a failing mark.
Gonzales earned a 1.0252 mark.
For Gonzales, the scenario was a bitter pill to swallow, but for the 32-year-old Albay City native, it was a lessoned learned.
“We learn new things every day. I still consider myself a newbie of the sport, and this is a huge lesson for me – it’s something I can apply in my next bouts,” Gonzales said.
“I’ve learned the importance of staying healthy, and at the same time this experience tested me emotionally simply because I prepared for this 100 percent so it wouldn’t happen. Now I know how to handle it,” he added.
Now back to step one, Gonzales remains in high spirits as he looks to compete and continue his impressive streak as soon as possible.
The Kyokushin karate black belt is also hoping that his clash with Hexigetu will still happen in the future.
“I failed, yes, but I will make sure that in my next fight, I’ll give my best. I’m willing to fight anytime, even in Vietnam this September,” Gonzales said.
“I also hope that ONE Championship gives me the same opponent.”
Catch ONE Championship’s event, ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH, on 6 September in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It will be the organization’s first ever all-Super Series event. It will be aired live on the ONE Super App.