‘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.
Showing posts with label Steve Grandeza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Grandeza. Show all posts
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Discipline, skills key to fighters' conquest
DISCIPLINE, patience and right strategies did the trick for Team Phoenix-Moo Duk Kwan Davao's sterling triple victories in the Ultimate Strikers Championship (USC) 5 Saturday at the SM Bicutan in Parañaque City.
"Our players were very disciplined and patient. We instructed them not to brawl early and to study their taller and bigger opponents. What happened at the USC 5 was a very good break for Davao Muay Thai players," head coach Edgar Alan Paulino said. "Hopefully we can bring more Davao talents to compete in Manila."
Steve "Red Knight" Grandeza hacked out a knockout victory over Francis "Baguio" Romero while Rudy "4K Kevkatchi" Tacogue beat Christopher Tamayo via unanimous decision and Carlo "Red Rock" Laude scored a third round knockout win over Manuel "Cobra" Silvano of Quezon City.
"We are happy with the result. We performed well considering that our rivals were more seasoned in Muay Thai competitions than us. But there is no time to relax though as I will resume rigid training for my world title fight in Dubai on Oct. 1," Grandeza said in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.
Assistant coach Bryan Grandeza also praised the performances of their wards saying.
"They really had good preparation and listened to us very well," Grandeza said.
Laude, a first Dan MDK blackbelt, said he didn't expect to win as it was his first time to compete in full contact sport.
"It was also my first time to compete in Muay Thai and to had done so outside the city. It was really a whole new experience for me and I'm so happy. I thanked my coaches for their help with my techniques. My ears were just attuned to them during the fight and I didn't even listen to the referee's reminders," Laude said.
Tacogue, a former sparring partner of the world's pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacquaio, said he looks forward to competing in more Muay Thai tournaments.
"I quit boxing when I had an injury yet now I'm into Muay Thai and I'm enjoying it," Tacogue said in the vernacular.
Steve Grandeza said he will face a Ghana fighter in Dubai.
"We will study his fights over the net. But I think I have an edge over him since he had nowhere to see my fights. I didn't upload any video of my fights so as not to give my opponents any idea," he said.
The team thanked Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody R. Duterte, Dennis Uy of Phoenix Fuel and Christopher "Bong" Go for their support.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 30, 2010.
"Our players were very disciplined and patient. We instructed them not to brawl early and to study their taller and bigger opponents. What happened at the USC 5 was a very good break for Davao Muay Thai players," head coach Edgar Alan Paulino said. "Hopefully we can bring more Davao talents to compete in Manila."
Steve "Red Knight" Grandeza hacked out a knockout victory over Francis "Baguio" Romero while Rudy "4K Kevkatchi" Tacogue beat Christopher Tamayo via unanimous decision and Carlo "Red Rock" Laude scored a third round knockout win over Manuel "Cobra" Silvano of Quezon City.
"We are happy with the result. We performed well considering that our rivals were more seasoned in Muay Thai competitions than us. But there is no time to relax though as I will resume rigid training for my world title fight in Dubai on Oct. 1," Grandeza said in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.
Assistant coach Bryan Grandeza also praised the performances of their wards saying.
"They really had good preparation and listened to us very well," Grandeza said.
Laude, a first Dan MDK blackbelt, said he didn't expect to win as it was his first time to compete in full contact sport.
"It was also my first time to compete in Muay Thai and to had done so outside the city. It was really a whole new experience for me and I'm so happy. I thanked my coaches for their help with my techniques. My ears were just attuned to them during the fight and I didn't even listen to the referee's reminders," Laude said.
Tacogue, a former sparring partner of the world's pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacquaio, said he looks forward to competing in more Muay Thai tournaments.
"I quit boxing when I had an injury yet now I'm into Muay Thai and I'm enjoying it," Tacogue said in the vernacular.
Steve Grandeza said he will face a Ghana fighter in Dubai.
"We will study his fights over the net. But I think I have an edge over him since he had nowhere to see my fights. I didn't upload any video of my fights so as not to give my opponents any idea," he said.
The team thanked Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody R. Duterte, Dennis Uy of Phoenix Fuel and Christopher "Bong" Go for their support.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 30, 2010.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Aussies to join Nat'l MDK C'ships
The 38th National Cup Moo Duk Kwan National Championships is on April 15 at the Gaisano Mall of Davao.
Organizer Steve Grandeza said that more than 100 participants are joining the event supported by RODY Project, Gaisano Mall and Asia United Bank.
Fifteen Australians are also coming to join the martial arts festival scheduled after the tournament. "We will also possibly have entries from the United Kingdom," Grandeza said on Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.
The competition is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the festival is set at 6 to 8 p.m.
Host Davao City, Iligan City, Gen.Santos City, Tagum City, Panabo City, Cotabato City, Bohol, Bacolod City, Dumaguete City, Quezon City, Cavite and possibly from Cebu City are gunning for honors.
The Australians are arriving on April 12 for the two-day seminar on April 13 to 14 at the University of the Immaculate Conception-Bonifacio campus.
Organizer Steve Grandeza said that more than 100 participants are joining the event supported by RODY Project, Gaisano Mall and Asia United Bank.
Fifteen Australians are also coming to join the martial arts festival scheduled after the tournament. "We will also possibly have entries from the United Kingdom," Grandeza said on Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.
The competition is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the festival is set at 6 to 8 p.m.
Host Davao City, Iligan City, Gen.Santos City, Tagum City, Panabo City, Cotabato City, Bohol, Bacolod City, Dumaguete City, Quezon City, Cavite and possibly from Cebu City are gunning for honors.
The Australians are arriving on April 12 for the two-day seminar on April 13 to 14 at the University of the Immaculate Conception-Bonifacio campus.
DSA Forum today
Basketball clinic and the PRISAA National Championships are the main topics of the DSA Forum today, 10:30 a.m. at the Tower Inn.
Atty.Manny Nitorreda will discuss the Coach Eric Altamirano basketball clinic while PRISAA Davao Region president Pete San Jose will talk about their participation to the national championships in Zamboanga City.
Joining them are Steve Grandeza who will discuss the National Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Championships.
DSA president and sports editor Charles Maxey is requesting members to come on time to the weekly sports talk sponsored by Tower Inn and Genesis 88 Advertising.
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