Nag-qualify sa Paris 2024 Olympic Games ang 23-year-old Filipino-American fencer na si Mitchell Saron.
Bilang star fencer, nagbigay karangalan din siya sa Harvard University, isa sa pinakaprestihiyosong unibersidad sa mundo, kung saan isa siyang Economics major in his senior year.
Inanunsiyo na rin ng USA Fencing at Harvard Fencing na tutungo sa 2024 Olympics si Mitchell.
Parte ng caption: “Mitchell Saron is on his way to the Olympic Games, qualified to compete in Men’s Saber for both the individual and team categories.”
Makulay ang kuwento ni Mitchell na muntik nang matapos ang career sa fencing dahil sa isang injury sa kamay—ang pinaka-crucial body part sa larong fencing.
Pero pinatunayan niyang walang imposible sa taong nangangarap.
Sa murang edad, pinangarap na niyang maging fencer. As a teenager, dalawang beses siyang nakanood ng Olympics, at ngayon ay magiging parte na siya nito.
“This achievement is a dream come true, one I’ve had since I was nine years old and first picked up a saber,” ani Mitchell sa The Harvard Crimson article, April 2, 2024.
“I was lucky enough to attend the 2012 and 2016 Olympics to see the top saber fencers in action in real life.
“And now, it feels so surreal to have chased this dream and see it coming to fruition.”
Naging asset si Mitchell bilang miyembro ng Harvard varsity fencing team.
Ayon sa Harvard Crimson: “Saron earned first-team All-Ivy honors three times, one first-team All-American designation, and one second-team All-American honor, as well as an NCAA team title.”
Ang naging ticket niya para sa Paris 2024 Olympics ay ang pagkakasungkit ng gold sa Men’s Sabre World Cup sa Budapest, Hungary, nito lamang March 2024.
Read: Mechanic Carl Allamby, required to take Biology for business degree, is now a doctor
OVERCOMING INJURY TO CONTINUE FENCING
Matinding disiplina sa sarili ang ginagawa ni Mitchell para sa fencing—hindi lang sa training kundi pati na rin sa kanyang lifestyle.
Itinigil niya ang pag-inom ng alak, at tampok sa kanyang diet ang “grass-fed and wild-caught animals as well as fermented vegetables."
Inamin niyang malaking sakripisyo ang ginagawa niya dahil sa lifestyle overhaul, pero sulit naman daw ang resulta.
Pero may pangyayaring hindi inaasahan na muntik nang tumapos sa pangarap ni Mitchell na makasali sa Olympics.
Pinagbawalan na nga rin siyang maglaro ng fencing.
Noong November 2023, hindi siya napasama sa US team sa isang fencing tournament sa Algeria dahil sa injury ng kanyang hinlalaki.
Aniya sa Harvard Crimson: “The thumb injury on my fencing hand was the most significant setback, especially because as it turns out, you really need your thumb to handle a saber.”
Inamin niya na sinabihan na siya ng kanyang mga doktor na itigil na ang fencing “because I was debilitated, but there was a serious risk of permanent damage. I was so frustrated.”
Pero isang hamon ang ibinigay ng kanyang orthopedic surgeon: “to continue fencing without using my thumb at all."
Sa tulong ng kanyang coach, nagawa ni Mitchell ang payo ng doktor.
Aniya: “My coach and I developed a technique that involved holding my saber like a tennis racket—that’s not how you’re supposed to hold a saber, but this is what we had to work with.
“The adjustment meant I had to strengthen other aspects of my performance, like my footwork and speed, which was a blessing in disguise.”
Bago ang Paris Olympics 2024 sa June, may tatlo pang tournament si Mitchell para sa kanyang Olympic qualification: ang laban niya Salt Lake City ngayong April, sa Seoul Grand Prix, at Madrid World Cup na parehong gaganapin sa Mayo.
Read: Guinness most expensive cow sold for PHP246M! What makes its breed so special?
PROUD OF HIS PINOY ROOTS
Magiging kinatawan siya ng USA sa Paris 2024 Olympics. Subalit proud si Mitchell sa kanyang dugong Pinoy.
Sa kanyang Instagram profile, ina-identify ni Mitchell ang sarili bilang “Olympic bound US PH”.
Nang gawin niya ang post matapos manalo sa Budapest at automatic na nag-qualify sa Olympics, nagsulat siya ng mahabang caption para pasalamatan ang lahat ng mga tumulong sa kanya.
Tinapos niya ang caption gamit ang sa hashtags na “#filipino #philippines”
Binanggit sa Inquirer na isang Filipina ang ina ni Mitchell at isang swordsman sa Pilipinas ang kanyang great-grandfather.
“I feel like I’m returning home,” aniya sa Inquirer interview.
“When you look to build your future, you can draw strength from your past. I’m so grateful to get to represent my family and continue the legacy.”