BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – At only 12 years of age, Daryl Dame Eslay, a budding kickboxing athlete from the Summer Capital, recently made his mark at Batang Pinoy 2024 by winning gold in his event proving that age is no barrier when passion and discipline come together.

Daryl began his kickboxing training two years ago, inspired by someone close to home—his uncle, a kickboxing coach and what started as a family influence quickly turned into a passion, as he committed himself fully to the sport.

Balancing school and sports is no easy feat for a student-athlete like Daryl, but he has found a rhythm.

“We train every day, even on weekends and school days,” he said as he admitted that this kind of setup can be tiresome but that he has gotten used to it to the point that the tiring days of training are now like a walk in the park.

This consistent dedication to training prepared him for one of the biggest moments in his young athletic career: representing Baguio City at Batang Pinoy 2024.

For Daryl, competing on a national stage was a moment of pride. “I am happy because I got the gold medal,” he stressed.

Beyond the win, however, it was his and his teammates’ sense of unity and faith that undoubtedly left him a lasting impression. “What stood out the most for me is whenever we compete in a competition, we pray first.”

For Daryl, these shared moments are a reminder that winning isn’t just about strength, but also about camaraderie and shared belief.

Behind every successful athlete is a support system and Daryl is no exception as he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the coaches, teammates and sponsors who have supported him in his kickboxing journey that made his road to winning the gold medal possible.

With gold around his neck and fire in his spirit, Daryl Dame Eslay is a reminder that great things come to those who train hard, stay humble and never stop fighting for their dreams.(Heidi Alonzo/Baguio PIO intern/Gaby Keith)