Filipino powerlifter Eduardo Munarriz has yet to begin his campaign in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
But he’s already won the hearts of thousands after being featured on the world renowned Humans of New York (@humansofny) Instagram account, which currently has 8.8 million followers.
In the post, Munarriz shared a short story about how he pictures himself as a leader of a team of superheroes. He then, went on to stress how a leader should be and that winning isn’t really everything but family and friendship are.
“I have twenty superheroes that I keep in a folder on my phone and I take it out to look at them, and I pretend that I am the leader of an entire superhero team. The whole team is counting on me to get as strong as possible because I am the muscle of the team. Being the biggest is like a way to take charge. It doesn’t even matter if I have super powers because I can use my own true strength, and the barbell is like a type of weapon. It’s important as a leader to always listen to your team. Our whole team decided together that friendship is more important than winning. Nobody will be mad at me if I lose. They don’t care if I bring home a medal. My family and my friends and Coach John and everyone in the Philippines will be proud of me even just for lifting weights,” the post read.
Munarriz is one of three Filipino powerlifters participating in the Special Olympics. The other two are Joanna Aquino Yabes and Marlon Tindoc, who had already won the bronze medal in the squat attempt.
The 20-year-old Munarriz takes his turn on the stage Wednesday.
But regardless of what the results may be, Munarriz has already made his case that not all superheroes wear capes.