WUSHU Wong handles SEAG pressure
Jakarta Asian Games bronze medalist Agatha Wong swears the pressure is starting to build up as the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) is less than a year away.
Fresh from winning the gold in the first Asian Traditional Wushu (Kung Fu) Championships in Nanjing, Wong feels that playing before hometown fans is more of a challenge.
“I was hoping na yung SEA Games hindi gagawin dito kasi I already know na yung pressure, it’s going to be immense. It’s really going to take a toll on me,” Wong said.
Although next year’s SEAG will be her third, Wong continues to be bothered by it but is doing everything to keep it in check.
“For the SEA Games, it’s my third time. I have to keep up that expectation. It’s not that healthy kasi to pressure yourself. It would also take a toll on your mentality. So for me, I just let the pressure come in pero alam ko na I’m stronger than it,” said the 20-year-old Wong, who doesn’t expect herself to be playing the sport when she reached 30.
But Wong would rather focus on the bright side of the sport instead of the negatives.
Most wushu artists don’t last that long owing to injuries and age and Wong would rather enjoy the ride.
“Sa wushu kasi umaabot ng hanggang 30 lang yung age na pwede kang mag-wushu. After that, you’re prone to a lot of injuries. I’m prone to a lot of injuries tapos minsan yung body ko it goes through hormonal imbalances kaya siguro I get all these injuries,” Wong said.
Wong considers a gold medalist in the last Asian Games as a prime example.
“I feel like I’ll stay here until 26, 27. Yung last Asian Games yung nag gold medal, she retired after bagging the gold. I believe she was 27 or 28. And now she’s a celebrity in Indonesia,” said Wong. It looks like Wong wants to follow the same path.