Jenelyn Olsim was one of the busiest fighters this year. Despite her latest loss, her rise in ONE championship has undeniably arrived.
ONE championship’s Christian Jacinto compiled some trivial information on this fighter from Bokod, Benguet. Here’s are Mr. Jacinto’s 5 fast facts about her (See story form ONE Championship: 5 Fast Facts About Team Lakay’s Jenelyn Olsim)
1. Not the only Olsim
Though Jenelyn is the first from her household to crack the main roster, she’s not the lone Olsim to compete in ONE. That’s because her older brother, Jerry “The Bokodian Warrior” Olsim, has seen action in Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series.
In fact, Jerry has enjoyed great success in OWS, building a 4-1 record.
Now, Jenelyn will look to continue her family’s good standing in the organization as she tries to beat Phogat and advance to the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship Final.
2. A medal-winning international athlete
Before focusing on mixed martial arts, Olsim represented the Philippines in international Muay Thai competitions – and she won a fair share of medals in the process.
At the 2018 East Asian Games, Olsim won a pair of gold medals and was also named Best Fighter.
And in 2019, she snagged the silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games held in the Philippines – and that’s when she decided to focus on mixed martial arts.
3. Newest Team Lakay fighter
It wasn’t until June 2020 that Olsim decided to join the fabled Team Lakay.
While Mark Sangiao’s stable remains the most notable in the Philippines, there’s no shortage of gyms – particularly in Baguio – where gems can be unearthed. Olsim is one of those cases, as she initially represented Tribal Torogi.
But with her focus turning to mixed martial arts, it made sense for Olsim to follow a pair of former Torogi representatives – her brother, Jerry, and current ONE superstar Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang – to Team Lakay.
Coincidentally, her first taste of competition came at a Team Lakay event, as she won the gym’s Grappler Cup back in 2016.
4. A Textbook student-athlete
Athletic careers are relatively short, but degrees are forever. That’s exactly why Olsim will continue to pursue her education even while fighting in ONE Championship.
As she prepares for the biggest moment of her athletic career, the Filipina is working on her Political Science degree at the University of Baguio.
She’s just two courses away from finishing, and while it can be tough to juggle athletics and education, she says the online setup due to COVID-19 has actually made the balance easier.
5. Third Team Lakay female fighter who competed in ONE
Olsim is the third female athlete to have competed in ONE Championship, following in the footsteps of April Osenio and the set-to-return Gina “Conviction” Iniong.
Team Lakay has produced some of the best male mixed martial artists in the Philippines, with five ONE World Champions coming from the stable.
Now, head coach Mark Sangiao is polishing the next generation of ladies in hopes of taking The Home of Martial Arts by storm.
Of course, this generation of Team Lakay ladies will have some big footsteps to follow, as the men from this gym – including ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and former lightweight king Eduard “Landslide” Folayang – are very decorated on the global stage.
No doubt, The Land of the Northern Mountain will be cheering her on for more success in ONE.
It will be no surprise if she will be wearing the Atomweight title one day as she is one of Team lakay’s most well-rounded athletes, male and female combined.
It wouldn’t be blasphemy to refer her as the female version of provincemate Pacio this early in her career.
By Armando M. Bolislis
