Entering the biggest rematch of his career, ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is definitely battling for something bigger than the belt.
The Filipino wushu superstar is set to lock horns with Japanese legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in the main event of ONE: A NEW ERA at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan on 31 March.
But for Folayang, just being able to represent the Philippines in such a grand stage is already an achievement in itself.
“Fighting for the Philippines – my home – is an absolute honor. I am lucky to represent such a great country on the international stage. It is something that I hold dear to my heart,” Folayang said.
“I feel very blessed, It is an honor for me to prove that we Filipinos are truly world-class and that we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Even at the highest level of competition, Filipinos can achieve victory, and I am proud to be a representation of that.”
This will be Folayang’s first defense of his World Title after winning the it last November at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS in Manila over Singaporean star Amir Khan.
Though it would not be happening in front of his countrymen, Folayang is extra-motivated to wave the flag high on foreign soil, something that he’s used to doing dating back to his days a wushu practitioner.
“It does not matter whether I am in a completely different country because I can still hear my kababayans (countrymen) cheering for me as I walk down the ramp. Filipinos are incredibly proud of their own, and it gives me energy and strength whenever I have their support.”