‘Aki’ looks forward to bigger fights

CEBU, Philippines —  After pulling off a breakthrough win in ONE Championship, Cebuano mixed martial artist Roel ‘Akiyama” Rosauro doesn’t want to rest on his laurels.

Aki, as he is fondly called by friends, knows very well that the real challenge has only just begun for him.

In fact, Rosauro has already positioned himself for a much tougher grind in pursuit of his childhood dream to become a world champion one day down the road.

Last January 10, the fighting pride of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu recorded his first victory in ONE Championship by unanimous decision against Mulia “The Ice Man” Legow of Indonesia on the undercard of the “ONE:A New Tomorrow” at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 31-year-old Rosauro thus snapped his two-fight skid in ONE Championship while raising his MMA record to 5-3 (win-loss) overall.

Savoring his first taste of success in the world’s largest martial arts organization felt like a championship glory for Rosauro, who hails from Cantaw-ang Esperanza in Poro, Camotes islands.

“I’m so very happy for what I have achieved,” said Rosauro, a featherweight contender. “I got a medal but it was like a championship belt for me knowing that it was my first ONE Championship win. It really boosted my confidence.”

Aside from his maiden triumph, Rosauro said the birth of his second child recently also motivated him to strive even harder as he looks forward to bigger fights ahead.

“My victory plus the birth of my second child recently inspire me a lot to double my effort in training. I wanted to become better every day and I’m so excited on what’s up next for me,” said Rosauro, who bagged silver medal in Muay Thai event during the Philippine National Games (PNG) and a gold medallist in the Philippine International Jiujitsu Open two years ago.

Rosauro credited Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu founder Master Benigno ‘Ekin’ R. Caniga for sharpening his MMA skills.

“Martial arts runs in my family’s blood,” said Rosauro. “But I am most thankful to Master Ekin. When I first came to Cebu at 21 years old a decade ago trying to make a name in MMA, he’s really the one who helped made me what I am now today.”

“Training religiously at the Yaw-Yan gym, Master Ekin guides me every step of the way as I chase my ultimate goal in life. Like any other athlete, I want to become a world champion. It’s a long shot but worth trying. With hard work, discipline and motivation, hopefully I can achieve it someday,” he ended.