By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
In another episode of Guimaras’ Players’ Center Sports Academy online sports talk show, Dr. Richard Gabayoyo and his crew had the chance to sit and talk with one of the elite athletes of the country, Lea Denise Belgira – a gold medalist during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the women’s downhill cycling.
The bubbly personality of Belgira took center stage as soon as the show started, having fun just talking about her experiences and struggles before getting to the top of the pedestal.
A native of the province of Guimaras, the 24-year-old sports gem started as a bike enthusiast, roaming the roads of Guimaras together with her friends.
Later on, she felt she could do more and tried BMX, and eventually moved on to mountain biking where she felt best suited her.
“Didto na ako nag start gid, sa pag focus ko sa mountain biking. At first wala gid ko plan to get far as the Philippine team but kaluy-an man, wala ko na expect nga ma reach ko subong ang achievement ko,” said Belgira during the sports talk show.
Belgira added that after graduating college in John B. Lacson, her passion for biking fueled her more to practice and since 2016, has joined several tournaments locally and nationally.
During the concluding statements of the talk show, Belgira expounded the need to build a specific organization or community focused on bikers which can support them and hone them from training to competition stage.
“Siguro mas mayo gid man if may ara kita sang organization nga kami ang focus and concern. Competing palang daan mabudlay na, kailangan man namon support para wala na gawa palibugan pa kag damo man ang ma encourage mag purse sang amo ini,” Belgira explained.
Moreover, Belgira has been grateful for the support she received after her SEAG stint, having a hero’s welcome in Guimaras and her achievements honored by the country.
