Martial arts can be a vehicle for many things. Many people get the fulfilment they need out of it without ever competing, let alone becoming a world champion.
This could be said of Eduard Folayang, who cites his introduction to wushu as the most pivotal moment of his life. However, now Folayang is a world champion, and that offers him many more opportunities to promote combat sports.
Folayang beat the legendary Shinya Aoki in November to claim the ONE Lightweight World Championship, and he comes back to home turf to make his first title defense at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. On 21 April, he won’t just be fighting for himself; he’ll be doing it for his countrymen.
“To be able to fight for the Philippines is truly an honor,” the Team Lakay lightweight stated. “I will do my best to make my people proud.”
Folayang is already a national hero, but it is the traits he has gained through his years training in martial arts that really endear him to the fans. “Discipline, respect, and honor,” are what he cites as the characteristics of a true martial artist; things that will never leave him, no matter whether he is champion or not.
“All of these traits I live my life by now? They’re all etched deep into my soul,” says Folayang.
In the first title defense for “Landslide”, he’ll face off against surging contender Ev Ting, who boasts an impressive 13-3 record to date. The popular Malaysian has won seven of his eight ONE Championship contests, including four in a row that cemented him as the number one contender.
Ting is a big threat to the champion, but one Folayang feels he can overcome, especially in front of a partisan crowd in the Philippines. Again, it’s not just the specific skills he’s acquired in martial arts that make him ready for such a robust challenger, but the life lessons.
“Through the toughest times growing up, martial arts taught me to persevere. It taught me to face adversity. It built my character,” stated Folayang.
From being a huge underdog, to being the defending champion in front of a sold out home crowd with thousands of Filipinos chanting his name, people can clearly see how fast things can change in top-flight combat sports.
That’s why It’s important to keep thing in perspective, which Folayang does every day. He’ll always be thankful for the opportunities without ever losing sight of what martial arts has given him on the inside, even when the gold on the outside is stripped away.
“Over 15 years ago, martial arts changed my life, and today I am blessed beyond imagination,“ said a grateful Folayang.
He’ll hope to keep inspiring people as champion, but whether there’s a belt around his waist or not, people will still look to Eduard Folayang as a great role model; one that was shaped by his love for combat.
