Women athletes underscore importance of supporting each other

MANILA, Philippines – Athletes in various sports may be marching to the beat of a different drummer each time they step out onto their respective playing fields, but one thing that is universal is the need for an environment that helps you thrive.

As athletes are often exposed to high-pressure environments from training to competition, there is only so much that a single person can go through without needing the help of other people.

In the context of women in sports, especially disciplines that are mostly dominated by men, the support system becomes even more impactful as they pursue their dreams of competing and winning in areas that men have long been in control of.

Prime examples of male-dominated fields in sports are martial arts and motorsport racing.

During a panel discussion led by McLaren Driver Bianca Bustamante, Wushu multi-medalist Agatha Wong, and racing driver-slash-car enthusiast Angie Mead King spoke about the significance of having their fellow women — even from another sport — show their support in each other’s careers.

Wong, for her part, acknowledged the need for women role models for young girls to look up to in order to create a safer space for them when they compete. As someone who missed that growing up, she is stepping to the plate to be what the next generation needs.

“Well, I think for me it's really important because when I started out, I was just the only woman in my sport. And I was 14 years old. And I remember all of my senior teammates were male. And I couldn't really count on anyone. I couldn't really count on anyone for advice, especially as a woman in a sport that's kind of a combat sport. It's martial arts,” Wong said during the event presented by GoTyme Bank on Friday. 

“And I think as I grew older, now that I'm slowly starting to have more female teammates that are younger than me, I see the value of having an older woman to look up to because when I was little, I didn't have that. I had to rely on the males in my team. And I think that was really different from having an older sister teammate because now I can guide my women teammates. I can guide the little girls. I can tell them it's okay to cry sometimes. It's okay to