BOXER Nesthy Petecio has inspired the country’s finest young Filipino athletes to strive for excellence, making it a breeze for the two-time Olympic medalist to be installed as this year’s Sports Idol in the 2024 Nickel Asia Corporation Siklab Youth Sports Awards.
Petecio, a silver medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze performer in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is a perfect role model for the 80 youth and junior athletes from 37 sports who will be honored on Dec. 5 at the Market!Market! Activity Center Ayala Mall BGC.
World junior champions Tachiana Mangin of taekwondo, weightlifters Angeline Colonia and Lovely Inan headline the Young Heroes awardees together with 2024 US Junior Girls champion Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of golf and wushu’s Alexander Gabriel Delos Reyes.
Joining them are Asian junior gymnastics gold medalist Karl Eldrew Yulo and table tennis youth champion Kheith Rhynne Cruz in the awards ceremony organized by the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Paralympic Committee-Philippine Olympic Committee (PSC-PPC-POC) Media Group.
The event supported by MVP Sports Foundation, Ayala Malls, CEL Logistics, Go For Gold, Milo, San Miguel Corporation, Barley+Wheatgrass Entrepro, Pacquiao Coffee and powered by Smart will likewise recognize muay thai world champions Janbrix Ramiscal and Lyre Anie Ngina, chess Olympiad gold medalist Ruelle Canino in the Super Kids Award category.
Four special awards will be handed out to Olympic boxing medalist Nesthy Petecio as this year’s Sports Idol, longtime sports manager Agapito “Terry’’ Capistrano as Godfather of the Year and noted youth sports supporters Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong’’ Go (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Quezon City Representative Juan Carlos “Arjo’’ Atayde (Trailblazer of the Year Award).
Three-time jiu-jitsu world champion Aleia Aielle Aguilar, Palarong Pambansa multiple gold medalists Albert Jose Amaro II (seven golds) of swimming, Mitchloni Dinauanao and Francis Dave Sombal (five golds each) of dancesports banner the Rising Youth Stars Award category.
Also leading the list are world youth muay champion Royeth Rosa, fencers Yuna Canlas, Willa Galvez, Hagia Del Castillo and Nicol Amethyst Canlas along with golfers Francesca Nicole Gaisano Gan, Geoffrey Drew Ong Tan, swimmer Behrouz Mohammad Mojdeh and figure skater Dawn Jasmine Gothong.
A total of 30 awardees are lined up in the Youth Heroes Award including world youth champion Isabella Butler of ju-jitsu, Ana Bhianca Espenilla (athletics), John Andre Aguja (cycling), JR Pandi (badminton), Brandon Sanchez (baseball), Kieffer Alas (basketball), Marc Dylan Custodio (bowling);
Nick Anjelo Payla (boxing) and Naina Dominique Tagle (archery)Gavin Moses Bangayan Ti (obstacle course racing), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Jonathan Reyes (squash), Jeniva Consigna (sambo), Joseph Godbout (modern pentathlon) and Asian age-group swimming gold medalist Jamesray Mishael Ajido.
Meanwhile, Ella Olaso (wrestling), Danielle Escolano (bowling), Xian Baguhin (boxing) Elaiza Yulo (gymnastics), Sebastien Mañalac (karate), Julia Claret Bintulan (karate), Zyche Mae Cruz Jizmundo (pencak silat), Shai Nitura (volleyball), Mariam Grace Balisme (wrestling), Paul Sondrei Capinig (wrestling), Andreas Lucho Aguilar (wrestling), Johanna Jeiel Barbero (wushu), Mark John Lazo (wushu), Carlstein Jade Dulay (sailing), Josa Gonzales (sailing), Marvin Mandac (cycling) and Thirdy Mana-ay (cycling) complete the roster for the Super Kids accolade.
Carla Joy Cabugon (canoe-kayak), , Ashley Mae Michelle Harrison (fencing), Sophia Shekainah Catantan (fencing), Eskelen Kedo (judo), Ailec Cervan (karate), Joseph Anthony Godbout (modern pentathlon), Jeniva Consigna (sambo), Jonathan Reyes (squash), Jamesray Mishael Ajido (swimming), Heather White (swimming), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Kheith Rhynne Cruz (table tennis), Tachiana Mangin (taekwondo), Albert Ian Delos Santos (weightlifting), Angeline Colonia (weightlifting), Alonso Lucas Aguilar (wrestling), Alexander Gabriel Delos Reyes (wushu), Zion Daraliay (wushu), Gavin Moses Bangayan Ti (obstacle course racing) and Rianne Mikhaela Malixi (golf).
