‘I'm proud to be Filipino’
"KILL the Filipino," came the chants of the crowd as Steve Grandeza climbed the ring, a grim reminder of the great odds he was facing in the biggest fight of his life.
They were cheering for his opponent and it was understandable. At the opposite corner of the ring stood Ghana's Al Hassan "Van Damme" Okine, a tall and muscular fighter who is very popular in Dubai because of his impressive fight record.
Grandeza, the Filipino champion, was never given a chance. He was small, they said, and would end up just being slaughtered by Okine.
They were all dead wrong as Grandeza went on to dominate Okine on the way to capturing the World Kickboxing Federation (WKBF) super welterweight crown and stunning the crowd at The Lodge in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
"Everyone was rooting for him (Okine). I even heard someone told Okine during the weigh-in, `You can beat him, he's so small," Grandeza told the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum Thursday as he recalled the night he won the world title against the highly-rated fighter from Ghana.
"During fight night, I was the one called first and so when we entered, the fans were shouting, ‘Kill the Filipino,’" Grandeza added.
But Grandeza said his brother-trainer Bryan reminded him of their meditation training where he was submerged into the sea.
"Bryan said I had to focus on my opponent and not on the negative remarks being thrown at me by the crowd. I emptied my mind just like in our water training. It helped me shift my focus back on the fight at hand, otherwise, I would have been distracted," he said.
His best friend and coach Edgar Alan Paulino said the water training was a good thing and it helped Steve to focus on the fight and that the negative chants of the audience did not diminish his determination.
Grandeza said after the decision was announced he became emotional that he cried when the Philippine anthem was played during the championship belt presentation.
He, however, confessed that there were premonitions he would be bring home the belt.
"When I arrived in Dubai, I dreamt of bringing this one (gesturing at his belt) home. I believe it was really my faith that made it possible. I was very positive about the fight. It's funny that in my dream, I was giving Okine a roundhouse kick and it did happen," Grandeza said.
"I cried when the Philippine national anthem was being played during the awarding. I had always dreamt of becoming a world champion. I'm so happy it came true. This honor is for every Dabawenyo and every Filipino all over the world. I am proud to be a Dabawenyo. I am proud to be a Filipino," he added.
He also thanked Team Pilipinas Phoenix Moo Duk Kwan consultant Ben Sur and sponsors Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PAGCOR, NIS Motors Corporation, Davao Bayan Construction & Hardware Supply, Inc., Rockspec Gears, Davao Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte for supporting his campaign.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 08, 2010.
Grandeza grateful to DSA for latest accomplishment
GRACING the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum is something newly-crowned World Kickboxing Federation (WKBF) K1 super welterweight champion Steve "Red Knight" Grandeza looked forward to even after coming home with a hero's welcome and a couple of live interviews at two local TV programs.
Grandeza, who beat Al Hassan "Ghana Van Damme" Okine via a unanimous decision after their seven-round encounter at The Lodge, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said he didn't expect to come home with such a warm reception.
"I'm happy for the recognition I'm getting from my fellow Dabawenyos," Grandeza said.
But he said the reception he's been getting recently is nothing compared to coming home to the DSA Forum at the Tower Inn Thursday.
The 33-year-old Grandeza thanked the DSA for supporting his quest for the world championship.
"After my fight, I was asked about the support I'm getting from the sports community here. I was quick to reply that DSA has been very active in supporting athletes like me. DSA has always been there for me from the very start. I'm so thankful to the DSA. I am proud of the DSA," Grandeza said.
Team Pilipinas Phoenix Moo Duk Kwan coach Edgar Alan Paulino also confirmed Grandeza's statements as he acknowledged the fact that the sportswriting fraternity in Davao specially DSA is very supportive of local athletes.
"Thank you, DSA, for being there all throughout Steve's journey. You have always been there for us from small-time tournaments to this world championship," Paulino said.
He also revealed that Grandeza keeps clippings of all news and feature stories from DSA members in local newspapers.
"DSA is really special to me. I kept all the stories of all my fights and events written by DSAers. You just don't know how it helped me become who I am now," Paulino said. (MLSA)
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 08, 2010.
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