PH’s kiteboarding star Tio eyes gold in first Olympic stint

PH’s kiteboarding ace Christian Tio.

Filipino-Norwegian kiteboarding ace Christian Tio isn’t settling for less when he competes against the world’s best in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in October in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tio, the only representative in the Asia and Oceanic regions in the YOG, has his sights set on the gold medal.

“I’m pretty excited because it’s a really big thing. Not everyone can have the opportunity,” said Tio on Tuesday during a sit-down interview with select media at Fairway Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

READ: PH kiteboarding ace Tio clinches lone Youth Olympic Games berth

“The target is to get that gold, to win,” said Tio.

Tio, who has a very laid back demeanor, isn’t unfazed despite facing a tall order to win it all.

“I don’t really feel any pressure. I just feel happy to be representing my country,” he said.

READ: PH bet Tio, Swedish star Kappel top kiteboard Boracay leg 

“It will be tough. I don’t really know the level but there are really a lot of tough competitors out there so I’ll train really hard to get that gold.”

The frizzle-haired Tio, who hails from Boracay Island where he was taught by his mother to kite at 7 years old before participating in his first kitesurfing competition against adults at 10, thinks living in a tropical country will be his edge heading into his stiffest challenge yet.

“It’s kind of an advantage that we have a lot of places to kite,” he said.

READ: Beach winds, challenges fuel dreams of Boracay kiteboarder 

He also believes a kitesurfing is one sport where Filipinos can definitely excel in.

“Yeah. We’ve got lots of beaches, we’ve got lots of good wind so a lot of people here can do it.

Tio, who turns 17 on Wednesday, flies back to Boracay Tuesday night. He is scheduled to be in Norway next month for an event which he also intends to use as part of his buildup for the YOG.