MANAMA, Bahrain – Coming from a family of Olympians, it’s no wonder Leo Mhar Lobrido also ended up taking to the sport of boxing.
Lobrido, 16, hails from the well-known Vicera boxing clan from Negros Occidental, his mother being the sister of Olympians Isidro (1992 Barcelona) and Virgilio (1996 Atlanta) Vicera.
And naturally, he was inspired by his uncles and grandfather to try the sport of sweet science.
“Inimpluwensiyahan ako ng mga pinsan, mga tito ko. Kasi nasa bloodline namin ang boksingero at saka mga national team members din,” he related.
It was actually his late grandfather who initially taught him the basics of boxing.
His grandfather is the cousin of Manolo Vicera, who also represented the Philippines during the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
“Natuto talaga ako sa lolo ko. Tinuruan niya akong magboksing,” said Lobrido, who started to box at the early age of seven. “Paunti-unti, natutunan ko yung boxing.”
Vicera victory
Carrying the Vicera pedigree, Lobrido has since made huge strides in his young boxing career that he now emerged as the best bet of the Philippine team for a podium finish in the 3rd Asian Youth Games here in the capital city of Bahrain.
Entered in the boys’ 46-kg weight class, he leads the six-man unit competing in the sport making its debut in the third staging of the multi-sports showcase.
By virtue of his golden feat in the Fourth Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China last year, a lot is expected from the Bago City native, who acted as one of two flag-bearers for Team Philippines during the formal opening ceremony held late Wednesday night at the same Exhibition World Bahrain venue.
Lobrido, who fronted the parade for the Filipinos alongside volleyball player Harlyn Serneche, admitted there’s pressure carrying the Vicera pedigree, but said he’s up to the task.
“Pagsisipagan ko na manalo,” he said, adding he began competing in major tournaments by the time he turned 12.
Lobrido said he’s dedicating his AYG participation to his grandfather and the rest of the Vicera clan.
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