Former lightweight champion Eduard Folayang. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
MANILA, Philippines — Eduard Folayang never met Kobe Bryant.
But just like everyone else from all over the world who are grieving the death of the basketball icon, Folayang can relate to Bryant as a fellow athlete in constant pursuit of greatness and purpose on and off their respective fields.
Folayang has achieved a lot in the mixed martial arts scene as a two-time lightweight world champion in ONE Championship.
But winning titles is just half of the accomplishment for Folayang. The other half is making an impact beyond the sport and into people’s lives just like Bryant, whose tragic passing in a helicopter crash in California that also took the lives of eight others including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna sent millions into mourning and paying tributes.
“I believe his life really made an impact to a lot of people not only in the States but here in our country and the world and that’s what’s really important in whatever we do,” Folayang said in Filipino.
“Not everyone will be like Kobe Bryant or make the kind of impact he did, but being able to leave a legacy in which one or two people will remember what you accomplished in life—that’s already very important.”
The 41-year-old Bryant is considered one of the greatest players ever with five NBA title in 20 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also a two-time Finals MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Apart from his tremendous contributions to the game, Bryant was also an ambassador for women’s basketball and used his experiences, wisdom and character to inspire many especially the next generation.
“You won’t please everybody but at least you’re able to inspire or motivate a single soul to be a successful citizen by just learning your story. It’s going to be such a wonderful story if you’re able to inspire one person in the world. That’s a very big thing and that’s what we want [to happen],” said the Team Lakay legend.
“We don’t just want to be known for how good we are at kicking or how great we are at martial arts but also by being able to inspire someone and do something for the community.”