Triathlete John Leerams “Rambo” Chicano knows hard work. He used to mop floors and work as an assistant in a bike shop before making it as a representative of the country in the 30th SEA games.
He is competing in the standard distance event of the men’s triathlon has high hopes he can bag a gold medal, reported GMA News.
Chicano, a SEA Games 2017 triathlon silver medalist, was 18 years old when he started to work at the bike shop owned by Melvin Fausto, who later became his mentor.
“Noong nabuntis ko kasi ‘yong asawa ko noon, wala akong income so hinahanapan niya ako ng trabaho tapos ‘yong dad ko talagang pinush niya ako sa bike shop noong coach, so naging janitor ako doon then helped hanggang naging bike mechanic,” he said.
Fausto, meanwhile, saw potential in Chicano.
“May nakita ako sa kaniyang alam mo ‘yong very teachable siya so ako dahil noong time na ‘yon, noong minementor ng mga Australian coaches isa sa project namin ‘yong mga under-privileged, nabigyan namin sila ng chance to come in to the sport ng triathlon,” Fausto said.
Chicano encouraged others to pursue their dreams.
“Sa mga kagaya ko, ‘wag nilang isipin na balakid sa pangarap nila at mas maganda na gawin nilang motivation ‘yong pangarap nila sa buhay nila,” he said.
