By CARLO ANOLIN
Team Lakay’s atomweight bet Gina Iniong is raring to return to the Circle after giving birth to her first child last month.
Focusing on family time with husband Richard Araos and newborn daughter Gianna Rose, Iniong has yet to come back for regular training but assured fans that “nothing has changed” for the “Conviction.”
“I can’t wait to get back in the Circle. I’ve missed it. Once I’m cleared to go back to training, and when my body feels right, you can expect to see me alongside your favorite Team Lakay superheroes again,” said Iniong, who holds a 9-4 record.
Before taking a break, the former No. 5 atomweight contender had five wins out of seven matches in ONE Championship with the most recent against Asha Roka of India via unanimous decision last January in ONE: Fire & Fury.
One of the best possible routes for Iniong’s comeback is to join in the inaugural world atomweight grand prix set early next year and she had earlier expressed desire to participate in the said tournament.
The atomweight is one of the stacked divisions in ONE Championship, led by reigning champion Angela Lee, who’s currently on a pregnancy hiatus.
Atomweight’s Top 5 consists of compatriot Denice Zamboanga (No. 1), China’s Meng Bo (No. 2) and Lin Heqin (No. 3), Japanese Mei Yamaguchi (No. 4), and Stamp Fairtex of Thailand. (No. 5).
“My division is really exciting right now. There are so many great talents and I’m so excited for a lot of potential matchups. Any opponent that ONE Championship will give me, I’ll be ready,” said the 2019 Southeast Asian Games kickboxing gold medalist.
“I’m hungry and motivated to re-establish myself at the top. Fans can expect a stronger, wiser, and more dangerous Gina Iniong next year.”