14-yr.-old iKalinga Muaythai fighter prepares for international games

This 14-year-old iKalinga Muaythai fighter may have only started combat sports in 2021, but there is no stopping him from conquering not just the local and national podiums but now also the international stage.

Salko Osmundo Gonnay Velic has recently been admitted to the Philippine Muaythai National Team and is set to head to Thailand this August 23 for the September 11-20 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Youth Muaythai Championships, the most prestigious amateur Muaythai event in the globe.    

Before he got to be an athlete, Salko was once a gadget dependent, his coach, Erwin Tagure of Tribu Banwar recounted to GURU Press Cordillera.

Tagure added he was able to convince the boy in 2021 to be his scholar and train him in combative sports.

Within the span of three years, Salko joined various competitions and brought home medals – mostly gold – from local and national competitions. His hard work, determination, and consistency later on qualified him to be part of the Muaythai national team.

The proud coach described Salko who began as this skinny boy with an addiction to gadgets as a diligent and hardworking teenager. He expounded that the 14-year-old does not just exude discipline but also diligence in helping out at the gym.

The 14-year-old is the first iKalinga home based combat sport athlete to have joined the national team.