Philippines, 16 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Diaz, Saso, Didal show what woman empowerment is all about - Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski


PhilBoxing.com



Mikee Cojuanco-Jaworski.

Unless the remaining Filipino male athletes come up with gold medal performances in the final day of hostilities Saturday, the Philippine delegation will be heading home happy with a four-gold medal harvest -- all courtesy of its female campaigners ? in the 18th Asian Games, which ends on Sunday in Jakarta.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, golfer Yuka Saso and skateboards artist Margielyn Didal would?ve written history in the Philippines? 67-year participation in the quadrennial conclave, which the country co-founded, by winning all or at least majority of the country?s gold haul never before since the Games' founding in 1951.

Flyweight Rogen Ladon in boxing, paddlers Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes in canoeing, and triathletes Nikko Huelgas and John Chicano remained in contention for medals in their respective events on the final day of action Saturday, but even if they were able to score a sweep, the fact remains the country?s female athletes overshadowed their male counterparts in the 67th anniversary of Asia?s version of the Olympic Games.

Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the last Filipina to win a gold in the Asian Games when she topped the individual show jumping event in equestrian in 2002 Askiad in Busan, South Korea and now the International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines, could not have been more proud with this development coming at a time when womanhood is under attack from even the highest government officials of the land themselves.

Cojuangco-Jaworski, daughter of former long-time Philippine Olympic committee president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco and wife of ex-PBA star Robert ?Dodot? Jaworski Jr., in several interviews with media men covering the Games, put premium on women?s significant role in citizen building.

"There are a lot of values that could be learned through sports, may it be friendship, excellence, fair play, discipline, or hard work. These are all traits that are necessary for us anyway whether we're playing, working, or studying,? Mikee stressed.

?All of that can be learned through sports," she explained. "If we in sports can be a good example to society, then I think we would have done our part already in nation-building. ?I don't think there are really enough words to express the pride, as a woman, that all our gold medal came from our female athletes.?

?We?ve been saying gender equality, it?s also hard din naman. It?s kinda reverse discrimination,? she said. ?But at the same time, there has been really an improvement in the participation ratio of men versus women, and I'm so grateful that our women athletes have shown that this is really the right way to go.?

The stunning, statuesque daughter in-law of basketball?s living legend Robert Jaworski compared Diaz and company?s triumphs with her own golden moment in 2002 coming on the final day of the Asiad, and was at the expense of ?some of the world?s finest riders.?

?Sometimes, when it's unexpected, that's when it happens,? said Cojuangco-Jaworski, who turned heads during the opening ceremonies when she was spotted cheering for the Philippine delegation waving the national colors at the VIP box of Jakarta?s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, said.

?And I think I know that more than anybody else because it happened to me,? she added. ?It's really a matter of being the best that we can be when it matters most. And every athlete comes in with the skills that they have worked hard to achieve, and really winning is about being the best on that day.?

As proud as she is of the Filipina athletes, Cojuangco-Jaworski expressed hopes that our male athletes will also come through with gold medals for the country, saying joking, ?Kawawa naman, hindi natin pinapansin ang boys.?

?But we are proud of all of our athletes, especially those who are really taking to heart yung responsibility nila,? she pointed out. ?They try to really represent our country to the best they can be. Competing for your country is not a right, it's a privilege, and it's a huge opportunity, and we have to take that seriously.?

Going back to gender equality, Cojuangco-Jaworski said, "I come from a sport where there is no such thing as a man or woman. We have always competed against each other. I have learned and realized that when we talk about gender equality, it does not mean that what women and men do must be the same."

"We're very unique. There are things that women can do that men can't and vice versa. Instead of trying to pit men and women against each other, we need to improve on all of our strengths, then everyone will be better for it."

Cojuangco-Jaworski added that it's important for young girls to have strong women to look up to and the gold medalists can help inspire the younger generation to break their own barriers.

"My coaches have always been women. My mom has always told me that everything in life is an adventure and there are not adventures that do not have their trials. My sister who was also a national athlete before, she encouraged me to dream and believe that I can be an Asian Games athlete," she added.

"All of these women who have shown their strength, not just physical but inner strength, have been great examples to me as a woman."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 14 JULY 2025: Katie Taylor Makes 3-0 Over Amanda Serrano; Baumgardner Defeats Miranda; Stevenson Outclasses Zepeda; Sheeraz Stops Berlanga
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Champion Forever: A Century On, ‘The City By The Bay’ Honors Francisco Guilledo
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Philippines Shuts Out South Korea, 7-0, in WBSC Women’s Softball Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Manny ready for Barrios
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Don King Productions Rejects Jake Paul's Demand for Mikaelian Step-Aside, Citing WBC Ranking Rules
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Argentinian former world champion "Locomotora" Oliveras Suffers Stroke
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • GM Antonio to compete in Taiwan chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO-BARRIOS FIGHT WEEK IS HERE
    , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Unbeaten Prospect Alex Bray to Face Lesther Espino July 18, Live on DAZN
    , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Blu Girls Crush Thailand in Explosive Start to Women’s Softball Asia Cup 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.