Rene Catalan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Opportunities keep knocking on Rene Catalan’s door.
On his way to getting a world title shot in ONE Championship, Catalan is also set to represent the Philippines anew in the Southeast Asian Games in November.
The 40-year-old Catalan look to add more SEA Games medals more than a decade since earning his last in 2005 when he took home the gold in wushu.
Only this time, Catalan will be competing in a different sport of combat sambo.
“It’s been 14 years. I am just so happy to be given the opportunity to represent the Philippines once again,” he said.
“Ever since I was a kid, my main goal has always been to give honor to my country. Now I have another opportunity to bring home a gold medal to the Philippines.”
Catalan’s stint with the wushu national team ended prematurely after he was forced to retire and give way to younger athletes despite being in his prime years at that time.
That’s why he just can’t wait to show that he still has a lot left in him.
“I was just starting in wushu back then. I had dreams of becoming a ten-time wushu champion and to bring home numerous gold medals to the Philippines, but I had no other choice because they’re the authority (the Wushu Federation of the Philippines),” he said.
“I felt bad. I was in the peak of my powers, but they forced me to retire from the wushu team. They were seeing how much I sacrificed, but it fell on deaf ears.”
As for his flourishing MMA career, Catalan is on a six-fight winning streak after scoring a first-round stoppage of Yoshitaka Naito in ONE: Reign of Valor two months ago.
Catalan assured that his decision to represent the country won’t serve as a stumbling block to his journey to a ONE world title.
ONE has always been supportive of their athletes’ dreams of representing their country and Catalan’s case is no exception.
“I had to ask the authorities regarding this decision. I can still accept a fight until October before I turn my focus to the SEA Games,” Catalan said. “They granted my request because I am ready from August to October, and then the competitions would only run ‘til December.”
“Now that I have this chance to give a gold medal to the Philippines again, I can’t really say no.”