Mayor Neptali Gonzales II lauded Gemma Silverio for bringing honor to the nation and for proving that Filipina wrestlers were just as good as the men.
Silverio, 35, and a first-year teacher at the Jose Fabella High School in Mandaluyong City was given a hero’s welcome yesterday during the weekly Monday morning program held at the city gymnasium. Likewise, Gonzales awarded P10,000 cash to Silverio.
"It is fulfilling to know that the country has reaped the fruits of perseverance and hard work of our athletes. I, as a Filipino is very proud of this feat. Of course, the local government and the people of Mandaluyong are happy and very proud of Gemma Silverio for also making us winners," Gonzales said.
Silverio, who is a Physical Education teacher for eight years, defeated Indonesia’s Ika Adinda at the San Andres Stadium in Manila last Nov. 30.
According to Silverio, it was determination and support from her countrymen that made her bag the gold medal in the freestyle category.
She said that she almost lost her fortitude when she was conquered by Thailand’s wrestler Pattana Promean during the elimination round. But due to her resolve to give pride to Filipinos, Silverio finally crushed Cambodian wrestler Try Sothavy and another from Vietnam considering that she is the oldest among the delegates.
"Tuwang-tuwa ako at sobrang excited dahil nanalo ako ng ginto para sa bayan ko. I was so excited when the referee announced that I won. Lahat ng Pilipino nagtatalon sa tuwa at nag-iiyakan dahil ito ang isa sa mga unang ginto na nakuha natin," Silverio said.
"Medyo nahirapan din ako dahil ‘yun stamina at lakas hindi na katulad ng dati pero mas beterano naman ang mga kaalaman ko kaya nanalo rin ako," she added.
But she said this feat was not easy at all at first because she had to go through extensive training for six months here and out of the country.
"Sa tingin ko ang nakapagpanalo sa akin ay yun ginawa naming training sa Mongolia dahil ang wake-up training namin doon, nagdadasal kami tapos kinakanta namin yung ating Pambansang Awit. Tapos laging inilalagay sa utak namin, do your best and let God do the rest. At kailangan na maglaro kayo para sa bayan, hindi para sa sarili niyo. Ang sabi ko rin, hindi ako babalik sa Jose Fabella ng walang dalang ginto," she recalled.
Eldest among the seven children of Domingo and Josefina, Silverio was also a silver medalist in the 5th International Feminine Wrestling Championship held in Switzerland in 1996 and bagged two bronze medals in the Asian Wrestling Champion held in China and Taiwan.
Silverio is a graduate of the city’s premier university, the Rizal Technological University (RTU) and was awarded as Athlete of the Year in 1992.