Get to know SEA Games gold medalist Agatha Wong

Agatha Wong defended her Southeast Asian Games wushu crown after reigning in the women's taolu taijiquan event at the World Trade Center on December 1.

Wong, who ruled the category in the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, finished with 9.67 points in the final round for gold.

Unknown to many, however, Wong actually competed while nursing an injury. Despite the pain she felt, she still delivered the gold to the Philippines.

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"I just gave my best so it was a surprise for me and I burst out in tears kasi sakit na ng katawan ko but 'yon pala it was all worth it," she said in a Monday episode of Unang Hirit.

For Wong, focus is one of the keys if one wants to achieve in wushu.

"Hindi ka naman laging magiging consistent na laging top sa wushu kasi lumalakas din ang kalaban kaya kailangan ng focus," she said.

Wong also admitted that the country's hosting of the biennial meet this year added more pressure for her.

"Kinailangan ko talagang galingan kasi sa Manila gaganapin ('yong wushu) kaya 'yon, ginalungan ko naman and it was worth it," she said.

Wong also shared wushu was not her first love, having played a variety of sports first before finding her current niche.

Agatha had tried ballet, karate, swimming and ice skating when she was in her younger years. She started practicing wushu at 8 years old.

When she turned 13, her family suggested that she should choose just one sport because she might have a hard time balancing everything.

Wong eventually chose wushu because it was different to other sports.

"I chose wushu din kasi wala masyadong may alam kung ano 'yong wushu so parang when I grew up as an athlete, I felt it was my responsibility to promote my sport na rin," she said.

Like any other athlete, Wong also had to prioritize academics above all.

But she said time management was never a problem for her since she knows her priorities well.

"Napapag-balance ko naman talaga siya kasi 'yong belief ko is that kapag mayroon ka talaga gustong gawin, wala namang reason, I mean, you're not going to find a reason to not do it so kailangan talagang student-athlete ako," she said.

She also advised people who want to practice wushu professionally to do it during their peak years, which is 9 to 10 years old. —MGP, GMA News