Finally getting his break, Rosauro vows to keep pushing

ONE Championship featherweight Roel “Akiyama” Rosauro always had one goal in life ­– to provide a better future for his family. 

He turned to martial arts in the hopes of turning that goal into reality. 

“Martial arts became a tool for me in trying to give a good future [to] my family. Every time I step in, I have to show a different kind of determination, knowing that the future that I envision for them is on the line,” Rosauro said. 

“It’s easier said than done, I know, but with determination and hard work, it’s not really impossible to get it.”

Born into a family with 10 siblings, life was not easy for Rosauro. His father worked as a carpenter; his mother, a stay at home mom.

To help with their daily expenses, Rosauro helped his father to earn a few bucks. Away from work, he studied Muay Thai with his uncle, which opened doors for him in martial arts. And by age 20, he moved to Cebu City and joined Yaw-Yan Ardigma. 

“Those times were rough. We were a big family and my father was the only one with a regular job, but back then I was always interested in combat sports,” Rosauro said. 

“My uncle came over from Manila and that’s where it all started. I fell in love with Muay Thai and then I decided to train full time.”

Rosauro fell more in love with the sport and decided to finally test his skills in the ring. 

He debuted in a local promotion in 2012 and quickly showcased his striking ability with two quick wins by TKO.

“Muay Thai really opened a lot of opportunities for me. These opportunities gave me a chance to provide for my family, something that I wanted to do for a long time.”

His early success eventually led him to ONE Championship, but it was far from easy at the beginning. 

“Akiyama” lost his first two bouts in The Home Of Martial Arts but rebounded with an impressive win over Yohan “The Ice Man” Mulia Legowo at ONE: A NEW TOMORROW in January. 

After the win, Rosauro now promises to make the most out of this opportunity. 

“There’s nothing easy in life. You have to really work for everything, but if you enjoy what you’re doing, and you have a purpose in doing it, things would be so much easier,” Rosauro said. 

“ONE Championship opened doors of opportunities for me and that’s why I’ll continue to work for my dreams, wherein I’d provide a steady future for my family and they don’t have to go through the same things I went through when I was young.”

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