Malalad looking beyond bronze medal this time

Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
December 9, 2006

KARATE’S poster girl is far from worried.

Despite a recent knee injury, Gretchen Malalad aims to surpass her previous finish when she leaves for the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar today.

“Once you dream of something, if you really want to achieve it, you’ll work very hard for it,” Malalad said in Filipino.

Malalad, a bronze medalist in the 2002 edition in Busan, will compete in the -60kg individual kumite during the karate competition on Dec. 12-13.

National karate president Ed Ponce remains confident of the chances of his top ward.

“Gretchen is a fighter,” he said. “I know she will do good. I saw her in practice, her kicks are better. I think she will make an impact in this Asian Games.”

The 26-year-old Malalad, a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, sustained a knee injury last month.

Malalad’s teammates will be planing off from Naples, Italy, where the national karate team had been training since September.

SEA Games gold medal winner Marna Pabillore and Mae Soriano are also among the favored bets.

“Everyone has a chance to win a medal,” said Ponce. “(Italian coach) Giuseppe Romano gave us a good training. We hope that all our hard work and sacrifice will bear fruit.”

Malalad bagged a gold in the recent Korean Open championships, her lone international stint this year.

“Those who participated in the competition most likely will be the same ones who will compete in the Asian Games,” said Malalad, who has also been busy appearing as a fitness trainer in a reality talent show on local television.

Nelson Pacalso, Junel Perenia, Bong Toribio and kata specialist Noel Espinosa will also see action for the national karate team, the last batch of Filipino athletes flying to Doha.

Taken from  Inquirer Website