29/08/2025
๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ช๐ก ๐๐ก๐ง๐ข ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฆ: ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ง ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ก
BAGUIO CITY -- Most athletes remember the moment they discovered their sport with vivid clarityโan open house, a school fair and a televised game.
For 18-year-old Yรฑgo T. Ramos, however, it all began with a childhood crush and a white lie.
โI was in third grade when a girl I liked invited me to try judo with her over the summer,โ Yรฑgo recalled with laughter. โBut when I showed up at the gym, the coaches said they didnโt know anyone by that name. She wasnโt even training there.โ
What could have been an embarrassing misunderstanding turned into the start of a life-defining journey. โI decided to stay and try it anyway,โ he said.
That moment of spontaneity opened the door to more than just a sport but more importantly led to a lifelong passion, personal growth, and national-level victories.
Now a varsity player and proud representative of Baguio City, Yรฑgo trains under the wings of the YMCA and Kaitagi Judo Clubs.
His weekly schedule is a demanding cycle of judo sessions, conditioning drills, school responsibilities, and sparse moments of rest. Each day a testament to his commitment to discipline and balance.
Yรฑgoโs story is not merely about medals and mat time but also about transformation.
โBack then, I joined judo for self-defense because I was often bullied. But it ended up giving me more than just protection. It taught me discipline, humility, and resilience,โ he disclosed.
โIt also comes with a sense of responsibilityโฆ Iโm carrying my cityโs name with me, and that drives me to give my best in every match,โ he stressed.
A major turning point came in 2024 when Yรฑgo won his first gold medal at the Batang Pinoy that wasnโt just a victory but a defining moment that revealed how much he had grown,and how much further he could still go.
โThat win made me realize how far Iโd come. It wasnโt just about winning. It was every bruise, every early morning, and every time I chose to show up even when it was hard,โ he admitted.
He holds onto a personal mantra that keeps him grounded: โThereโs always a rainbow after the rain,โ he saysโa phrase he lives by during both challenges and triumphs.
โMental preparation is just as important as physical training. Before a big event, I start by visualizing success.โ Doing that, he explained, โhelps me set a clear goal in my mind and builds my confidence.โ
Despite his achievements, Yรฑgo doesnโt see himself pursuing judo professionally but hopes to give back possibly as a coach or mentor. โEven if Iโm not competing at the highest level anymore, I want to help younger athletes grow. I want them to feel the same sense of belonging and opportunity that judo gave me.โ
Behind every match and milestone are the mentors who shaped his pathโcoaches from Baguio: W***y Diรฑo, Ferdinand Cudao, Maโam Sharon Diรฑo, Francine Rillera, and Maโam Rhow Salinas. โTheyโve helped shape me not just as an athlete, but also as a person.โ And, above all, his parents, his โbiggest role modelsโ whose unwavering support became his foundation.
To aspiring athletes, Yรฑgo offers simple but powerful advice: โDonโt be afraid to take the first stepโฆ That one moment of courage could lead to something incredible. Just like it did for me.โ
Just like the great hockey player Wayne Gretzky said, โYou miss 100% of the shots you donโt take.โ So go out there and take the shot! Itโs always better to try than to never do anything.โ
From an innocent crush to becoming a cityโs pride, Yรฑgo Ramosโs journey is proof that the best stories often start with unexpected beginnings and that sometimes the wrong gym can lead you exactly where youโre meant to be.-Roline Cabantoc/Baguio PIO intern/gabykeith
