WHILE they may struggle to use the camera or the guitar, these Filipino left-handed athletes prove that they can handle sports equipment better than most of us.
Having raised the flag on the biggest international stage, these athletes are proof that being a portsider is an advantage for a favorable few, at least in the field of sports.
On International Left Handers Day, we celebrate these eight left-handed athletes who did all the right things for Philippine sports:
MANNY PACQUIAO
Manny Pacquiao is the first and only boxer who won world titles in eight different weight divisions.
‘Pacman’ is also one of the reasons why southpaws were avoided by most fighters.
Two years ago, the boxing legend retired with a record of 62-8-2 with 39 KOs.
ALLAN CAIDIC
Allan Caidic proved there’s no less-dominant hand when it comes to scoring.
Arguably the most famous lefty player who graced the PBA, the ‘Triggerman’ didn’t only make an impact locally, but also in Asian Basketball.
PAENG NEPOMUCENO
Six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno was a bowling legend who made it to the Guinness Book of World Records multiple times.
He is a four-time World Cup champion and its youngest winner ever in 1976. Truly a GOAT.
ALEX EALA
Among other fields, tennis is easily one of the sports where left-handed athletes have an advantage.
From her service to her ball sustenance, Eala’s games are mostly all unique due to her ‘leftiness’.
The 18-year-old sensation is a four-time ITF Tour winner, a three-time Juniors Grand Slam champ, and the first Filipino to win a singles Grand Slam title.
JACK ANIMAM
Despite a recent injury, Jack Animam never had a problem making a name for herself both locally and internationally.
From Taiwan, Serbia, USA, and now China, the face of PH women’s basketball continues putting the country’s name on the radar of different nations.
BONUS
CHIEFFY CALIGDONG
Chieffy Caligdong is not left-handed but left-footed.
Caligdong, a left winger, was the most prominent homegrown player during the Azkals' glory years in the 2000s to 2010s.
KAI SOTTO
A 7-foot-3 player with a dominant left, Kai can finish with both hands in the paint, the very reason he's the most talked-about player of this generation.
The Gilas center has played in leagues in Australia, US, and Japan, becoming the first homegrown Pinoy player with the biggest shot at making it to the NBA.
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