CEBU, Philippines - Out of the hundreds of potential young judokas in the country, Cebuano Joaquin Niccolo Fernandez is one of the only two Pinoys selected to participate in the 2010 Asian Judo Youth Camp in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fernandez along with Maria Isabel Sta.Cruz were recommended by the Philippine Judo Federation for this program organized by the Olympic Council of Asia based on their performances in several national tournaments.
Fernandez and Sta.Cruz left the country the other day together with their coach Flordeliza Garcia. They will be in Thailand until the completion of the training by the end of the month.
The training program is open to athletes aged 15 to 17 years old.
Fernandez is actually busy with his studies at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Dilliman were he is taking up AB Philosophy but he decided to grab the opportunity because he considers it as a chance of a lifetime.
Joaquin Niccolo is the younger brother of the multi-titled judoka Vicente “Nonoy” Fernandez, who has already brought several honors not only to Cebu but also to the entire Philippine nation in various major competitions. (THE FREEMAN)