Juliana Gomez wins fencing competition in Thailand | Sports Desk

Summary

Juliana Gomez, daughter of Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres Gomez, shares her journey as a rising fencing champion. Recently, she won a gold medal in an international competition in Thailand, showcasing her dedication and hard work since she began training in 2019. Despite her parents' fame in the public eye, Juliana focuses on her passion for fencing, inspired by her father’s love for the sport. With dreams of representing the Philippines in future games, including the Olympics, she expresses gratitude for her supportive family and coaches. Juliana is set to continue her path to success in both fencing and academics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Juliana Gomez won a gold medal in an international fencing competition in Thailand.
• 😀 Juliana is the daughter of Richard Gomez, a sports advocate and public servant, and Lucy Torres Gomez.
• 😀 The competition in Thailand was tough, with 19 local Thai fencers, including university players and national team members.
• 😀 Juliana has been training in fencing since 2019 and is dedicated to her sport.
• 😀 She traveled alone to the competition in Bangkok for a short duration of four days.
• 😀 Juliana’s love for fencing is inspired by her father, Richard Gomez, who also represented the country in the sport.
• 😀 She enjoys fencing and does not consider it work, attributing this joy to her father's passion for the sport.
• 😀 Juliana did not watch much of her father's matches, as she was young when he competed in the SEA Games in 2005.
• 😀 Juliana has big dreams in fencing, including qualifying for the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games, and possibly the Olympics.
• 😀 Despite her success, Juliana remains focused on improving, considering her recent win to be just the start of her fencing career.
• 😀 Juliana appreciates the support from her parents and coaches, acknowledging that her privileged situation allows her to focus entirely on training and competition.

Q & A

How did Juliana Gomez prepare for her recent fencing competition in Thailand?

Juliana prepared by continuously training since 2019. She mentioned that she had been training non-stop, which helped her compete against 19 local Thai fencers, including some from the national team.

Was Richard Gomez, Juliana's father, able to watch her compete in Thailand?

No, Richard Gomez did not attend the competition in Thailand. Juliana traveled alone for the event, as she often travels for short periods to compete or train in different countries.

What is Juliana's view on fencing as a sport?

Juliana enjoys fencing because it feels like fun rather than work. She inherited her father's love for the sport, which is contagious, and she appreciates the sense of community within fencing.

How did Juliana feel about her father's role in her fencing journey?

Juliana feels that her father's influence has been significant, particularly his passion for the sport, which has shaped her enjoyment of fencing. She also trains with him, and he pushes her hard in practice.

Does Juliana have any memories of watching her father compete in fencing?

Juliana's earliest memory of watching her father compete was in the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, when she was just five years old. However, she doesn't remember much of his playing years as a national team member.

What are some of Juliana's long-term goals in fencing?

Juliana has big dreams for her fencing career. She aims to qualify for the Southeast Asian Games, compete in the Asian Games, and eventually qualify for the Olympics once she becomes a more seasoned fencer.

How does Juliana balance her career in fencing with being the child of public figures?

Juliana feels lucky to have the support of her parents, Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez, as they help her focus on her fencing career by ensuring she doesn't have to worry about training logistics or basic needs like food. She recognizes this as a privilege.

What does Juliana think about the idea of entering public service like her parents?

Juliana believes it is too early to consider following her parents into public service. She is currently focused on her college studies and her fencing career, and she is not yet sure about her future in public life.

What did Juliana say about the importance of her local competitors in her journey?

Juliana expressed gratitude to her local competitors, saying that even though she has lost many times, those losses have helped prepare her for victories like the one she achieved in Thailand.

What are Juliana's next steps in her fencing career?

Juliana is looking forward to competing in the upcoming UFC Sun event, where she hopes to win a title and continue progressing in her fencing journey.