Catching up with Team Lakay’s Gina “The Conviction” Iniong Araos

By: Mary Jude Pili

GIANNA ROSE is her name.

Team Lakay lady warrior, Gina Iniong Araos and her husband, Richard Araos are both very excited as they await for their newborn baby.

Two months seems to be a long period of time.

“Gianna is of course from my name Gina and the R in Rose is from my husband’s name, Richard,” said Gina in a rather high-spirited announcement-like tone.

While Gina, one of the established contender in One Championship’s MMA atomweight division and a kickboxing gold medalist in 2019 SEA Games waits for her due, she remains active in her physical exercises at home.

She also joins the regular online training of Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP), the country’s national kickboxing team as one of their members.

“Biruken ti bagi ngay ti work-out. Ni Lakay ti taga-igem ko ti pads, very supportive piman isuna” (My body longs for workouts. My husband became my pad-holder and I’m glad that he’s very supportive), she said just as she chuckles low.

She added that she sent her exercise regimen videos to her doctor to make sure they are safe to perform. Now in her third trimester of pregnancy, Gina goes for a walk in the mornings and does training in the afternoons.

Asked about her future career trajectory after childbirth, she expressed the willingness to stay as a professional athlete.

“I really want to join the SEA Games in Vietnam around November next years as a member of Philippines’ kickboxing team and also compete in some other international kickboxing tournaments. But of course, we can’t set aside the chances of me doing MMA as well.”

“The Conviction’s” athletics career may be stalled at the moment but for the worthiest reason of all – their precious daughter, Gianna Rose.

“We can’t wait. I and my husband already prepared all the things we need for the coming of our princess. Right now, we only need to decide which hospital is best for us,” ended Gina.