By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Olympic-bound boxer Irish Magno joined a long list of kind-hearted sports celebrities after organizing her own fund-raising drive for victims of typhoon “Ulysses.”
In her Facebook post, the 29-year-old is encouraging boxing enthusiasts to support her “Boxing Class for A Cause” program scheduled on Saturday at the FitStart Gym in her hometown Janiuay, Iloilo.
It was also where Magno currently trains for the Tokyo Olympics during the pandemic.
Admission fee is pegged at P100 with all proceeds going directly to the typhoon victims.
“Gusto ko po talagang makatulong sa mga biktima ng bagyo. Naisip ko po na mag-conduct ng class, hindi lang po ako makakapag-share ng kaalaman ko sa boxing, makakatulong pa po ako sa mga naapektuhan ng kalamidad,” Magno told Manila Bulletin.
She added the idea came from her and Raynald Ardiente, owner of the FitStart Gym.
This would be the third time that Magno would be conducting a boxing tutorial, which is open to all ages.
Magno said it also helps her cope with her training, as she is still training online through the guidance of coach Boy Velasco.
The current online setup gives her a bit of anxiety, knowing that having her coach physically guide her is more effective than online training.
But Magno believes she can make up for lost time once they are allowed to physically train with Velasco.
“Nag-aalala din po ako kasi palapit na nang palapit ang Olympics. Kulang na kulang po talaga preparation ko, pero malaki po ang tiwala ko sa coaches ko na once na maging okay na at pinayagan na kaming makapag-training, mapupunan po namin lahat ng kulang,” she said.
So far, the country has four hopefuls in the Tokyo Olympics: pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who is training in Italy; gymnast Carlos Yulo, who is in Japan; boxer Eumir Marcial in the United States; and Magno.
