Floryvic Montero, 29, who grew up in Barangay Villahermosa in the town of Rapu-Rapu, Albay, made the Filipino community proud after becoming the first ever Filipina who won the East Asian Muay Thai Championship 2024 for the flyweight Asian title under the World Muaythai Council (WMC) banner held last December 1 in Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Montero defeated Hong Kong’s “hero” and two-time national champion Hoi Ni Chan inside the ring, completely sweeping the five rounds.
Despite the momentous achievement, winning the East Asian Muay Thai Championship 2024 was no easy feat, especially in her rival’s territory and her family problem in mind. Her mom was suddenly admitted to the hospital before Montero left for Hong Kong due to an accident. Her left hand and leg were also injured.
When asked about her experience before stepping inside the ring, Montero emphasized “sobrang pressure bago makuha ang championship.”
“Prinay ko lang kay God. Sabi ko, help me to buuhin [ang mga challenges] as motivation para makatayo ako nang maayos sa sarili ko. Makalaban ako at matapos ko ‘yong laban. Na-help Niya naman ako na maging motivation ko ‘yon lahat,” Montero said on her challenges towards success.
Multi-title champion
With Montero’s years of training—setbacks and progresses—in the world of professional athletes, she now has multiple international titles under her belt.
Montero also clinched gold in 2024 IFMA Asian Open Cup Invitational and Asian Games in Taiwan and bronze medal in 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“Binigay ko po lahat kay God na tulungan Niya ako kasi first time [lumaban sa World Muay Thai Asian Flyweight] and then sabi ko, gusto ko talaga makuha ‘yon for my mom. Medyo kinabahan ako no’ng nalaman ko na 4-time ‘yong makakalaban ko,” Montero said.
Believing her throughout until the end, her coach said “magtiwala ka lang.”
Despite the challenges before the bout, Montero remained unfazed by people bringing her down as she got inspiration from God, friends, teammates and coaches from national team of Muay Thai association of the Philippines and her family, especially her mom—her source of “strength” and “weakness” at the same time.
“Hindi ko pangarap na maging athlete”
Life is full of surprises because who would’ve thought that Montero didn’t actually dream of becoming a professional athlete?
“Pero no’ng bata ako, gusto ko maging hitman,” Montero said in jest, reminiscing her funny memory when she was a child. “Gusto kong lumaki na matapang ako kasi yon lagi ang sinasabi ni mama na kapag umuuwi ako, wag akong umiyak.”
Although she was already involved in sports when she was elementary due to her strong physique, Montero admitted that she was rebellious once she stepped in high school. Eventually, she met a friend who introduced her to the world of boxing. She trained so hard while juggling academic responsibilities in high school.
“Naging motivation ko rin sa Bicol kasi parang ito na ang chance ko na maiuwi ang first belt…iuwi ko ito sa Bicol. Buong proud na ihaharap ko sa kanila ito,” Montero said.
Montero graduated with a bachelor degree in Criminology. She plans to defend her title as the reigning WMC Asian Flyweight champion.
“Hanggat nasa national team ako, gagawin ko ang best ko na makauwi ng karangalan para sa Pilipinas,” she said. I Nicole Frilles
Photo courtesy: IFMA