ALREADY one of the best junior MTB riders in Asia, national rider and Go for Gold star John Andre Aguja is taking his act to the world on Friday.
Once in the Top 7 of the UCI world rankings, the pride of Iriga City will be entry No. 35 in a field of 85 cyclists aged between 17-18 years old at the 2024 UCI World MTB Championship in Pal Arinsal, Andorra.
Aguja told SPIN.ph he is not feeling any pressure heading to the race, saying he is used to competing as a heavy underdog.
Experience counts for Aguja
“Ganito rin po ako last year sa una kong international race sa Thailand. Nag-gold po tayo. Then sa Yawatahama, Japan para sa isang Asian race, top podium din po tayo,” said the soft-spoken Aguja.
Because of the lack of races in the region, Aguja slid to No. 49 in the rankings after going as high as seventh last January. He is still the top-ranked Asian on the list.
“Kakaunti po kasi ang races sa Asia kaya expected po yun. Pero, maganda po itong chance natin na lumaro sa world championships, kas if ever, malaking puntos po ang makukuha dito para sa rankings,” he said.
He is currently one of the top junior riders in Asia after winning two gold medals (Coupe de Japon and Tour de Siol), a silver (Asian championships) and slew of title conquests in different Sotheast Asian races.
Aguja hopes to measure his progress by ging up against the best in the world like top-ranked Albert Philipsen of Denmark and teammate Nikolaj Hougs (2) and Brazialian world No. 3 Henrique Ribeiro Bravo.
“Yun po ang mahalaga sa competition na ito, masukat natin kung nasaan na ang talento ng mga Pilipino sa MTB katapat ang best of the best ng mundo,” said Aguja.
“Pero syempre, sisikapin kong manalo. Yun naman po ang tunay na reason, kaya lalaro tayo dito. Nag-qualify tayo so may qualities tayo to win,” he added.
Go for Gold founder and longtime sports patron Jeremy Go is optimistic about the chances of his ward.
“Of course, that’s world level. Pero world-class naman si John Andre, kaya nga since we discovered him, kung saan-saan namin siya dinadala na bansa para he can improve and be better,” said Go.
“No pressure for John Andre pero syempre we will be so proud if he can duplicate the success of Carlos Yulo during the last Olympics,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
