John Robert Celski, the Filipino-American speed skater who won a bronze medal in the Vancouver Winter Olympics last Sunday, is a die-hard Manny Pacquiao fan.
So like Pacquiao in boxing, Celski also dreams of lording his sport someday.
“I idolize Manny Pacquiao, and look up to him very much. I try to take the attitude he brings to the ring, onto the ice,” Celski, 19, said in an e-mail interview. “He (Pacquiao) is very humble and always smiling and proud of what he represents. This is what I try to do as well.”
Celski, youngest of three sons of a full-blooded Filipina who hails from Isabela, finished third in the 1,500-meter short-track speed skating event despite being a first-timer in the Games.
Although he’s officially carrying the US flag, Celski believes he’s also representing the Philippines, a tropical country with no snow, in the quadrennial event.
“I hope that the Filipino community knows that I am very proud to represent them on the winter stage this year, and the years to come,” said Celski, who is based in Federal Way, Washington.
A daredevil on ice, Celski will try to nail a gold medal in the 1,000m event this Wednesday and 3,000m on February 26.
Celski, who earned a slot in the US team and in the Games by snaring two gold, one silver and two bronze medals last year at the World Championships in Austria, partly credits his triumph to the characteristics and attitude of a Filipino blood in him.
“I believe Filipinos are very proud, loving people, people who stand together in troublesome times, and are very humble in what they do. I also believe that there are many people in the Philippines with very amazing talents. I also believe that Filipino people love to represent their country and are very proud to be Pinoy.”
Source: mb.com.ph
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