Sportswriter collars 2 golds in Jiujitsu Open
LEMUEL Maglinte isn’t your everyday sportswriter.
When he isn’t covering sports events or sitting at a desk writing sports stories for a local daily, he spends most of his time at the Deftac Cebu Gym at the Manrose Building in Mango Avenue, honing his craft in Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ).
“I want to prove that the Cebu media is very well oriented in sports because we are very active,” Maglinte, also a professional MMA fighter, told Sun.Star Cebu.
Maglinte got hooked into the sport of BJJ just two years ago, after starting out as an MMA fighter.
Those long hours hitting the mats on his free time finally paid off this weekend after winning two gold medals in the 2016 Dumau International Jiujitsu Open at the SM Seaside City.
The 28-year-old Maglinte beat 90/Eight BJJ Davao’s Kris Sentillas on points to win the gold medal in the 58 kg roosterweight division of the Gi competition. He also took home the gold medal in the No Gi competition after outlasting his Deftac Ribeiro teammate Kenn Jumao-as also on points.
“I give a lot of credit to Deftac because they are tough guys in jiujitsu and they pushed me to bring out my true potential,” said Maglinte.
Indeed Deftac is one of the best teams out there, taking home the top plum last weekend with a total of 131 points in the overall rankings. Atos Philippines and 90/Eight BJJ were both at far second place with 51 points each.
Some of the gold medal winners of Deftac were Joey Lepiten, Phil Rizon, Fidel Ballesteros, Mark Oliver Co, Niño Aposaga, Josephus Gaudez, Gian Carlo Palatulon, Duane Gacasan, Jonathan Narisma, Charlie Ratcliff, Jenny Fernandez and caryl Abigail Conte.
Maglinte had a rough start in his first few BJJ competitions. He started competing in BJJ tournaments last year but was unsuccessful in in first two attempts. He finally found his niche in BJJ after finally winning a silver medal in the Dumau tournament earlier this year.
“I wasn’t discouraged at all,” said Maglinte of his losing campaign last year. “I just wanted to get back at them.”
Though his profession as a sportswriter is always his top priority, Maglinte continues to juggle his time to do the other thing he loves, BJJ.
“Wherever the sport brings me. I’m doing this for fun but winning is always better,” he said.
Because of his success in both MMA and BJJ, Maglinte has proven that sportswriters can also be good athletes.