THE athletes’ mental health should be given the same importance as their physical well-being before, during and after actual competitions.

This was the opinion of Women’s Martial Arts Festival muaythai gold medalist Coline Biron as she expressed support to athletes with mental health struggles, especially during the time of pandemic.

“We read and hear a lot of stories about athletes with mental health issues even before the Tokyo Olympics,” said Biron during the 115th “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) last Aug. 19.

The mental health cases of many athletes only became the subject of conversations when high-profile athletes such as Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka came out into open during the coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics, but Biron said it is a recurring problem in sports.

“May ilang atleta po talaga ngayong pandemic ang nakararanas ng mental health problems dahil sa mga pangyayari,” added Biron during the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

“Dapat ay mas lalo pang mapangalagaan ang mental health ng ating mga atleta upang hindi maging hadlang ang pandemya sa pag-eensayo at pagkapanalo ng bawat atletang Pilipino.”

A veteran muaythai fighter and coach, Biron said spirts associations should bring more people, especially psychologists, who can support the athletes’ mental health needs.

“As an athlete, I know the challenges of having limited training while in quarantine due to health and safety protocols since the COVID-19 outbreak last year. Mahirap talaga. Hindi maiwasan yun mag-isip at mag-alala lalo na sa mga atletang dun lang kumukuha ng pang-gastos sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” added Biron, the pride of Baras, Catanduanes.

Last month, Biron captured the gold medal in muaythai in the Women’s Martial Arts Sports Festival, an annual competition for women organized by the PSC and commissioner Celia Kiram.

Biron did well enough to best her opponents in the online multi-sports competition whch attracted participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“Although it was really difficult to train due to the health and safety protocols by the IATF, hindi naman kami huminto ng mga kasama ko na mag-training. Tinuloy pa din namin yun daily routine sa pag-ensayo sa bahay or kahit saang venue as long as nasusunod yung protocol,” recalled Biron, who also works at Catalan Fitness and Mixed Martial Arts and Denizone Fitness Center.

“And even nagkaroon ng ECQ, we really stayed active sa sport. We stayed connected kahit nasa bahay lang kami, lalo na sa aming coach to do virtual workouts, trainings and seminars. Talagang we supported each other para maka cope sa mga mental battles namin.”

The Antipolo City-based Biron said she hopes to do well in the coming virtual national championships being organized by the Muaythai Association of the Philippines as part of the Philippne National Games next month.

“I hope to perform well, especially since MAP will choose the members of the natiinal team for next year’s competitions,” added Biron, who also battled MMA champion Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga in the SAFC 33 in 2017.

Asked about the possibility of trying her hands in boxing, Biron welcomed the challenge.

“Why not? Napapaisip din ako sa maaari ko pang gawin, sa abot ng aking makakaya. Pwede din ako sumubok sa boxing o sa kickboxing kasi halos parehas lang naman ang galaw. Basta maganda lang ang ensayo at nandun yun focus,” explained Biron, who learned muaythai when she was only 16.

Biron was joined in the weekly forum by former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) official and leading women in sports advocate Tisha Abundo and Talk N Text Tropang Giga assistant coach Mau Belen.

Abundo and Belen agreed with Biron about the importance of ensuring the mental well-being of the athletes, epecially women. With reports from Gab Ferreras