A young archer from Davao City has taken her first shot on the prestigious Southeast Asian Games stage. Kristine Madeline Salomon Ibag, a 20-year-old native of Davao, made her debut for the Philippines in archery at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games held in Thailand. The fourth-year Sports Science student from the University of the Philippines Mindanao described the experience as a profound lesson in mental toughness and athletic performance.
Conquering Target Panic on the Big Stage
Ibag revealed that her journey at the games was not without its mental hurdles. She experienced intense pressure during the qualifying rounds, a common challenge in precision sports known as "target panic." "I started panicking, and I became too focused on the results, forgetting my proper shooting sequence," Ibag confessed. She had to consciously remind herself to see the wind as an ally rather than an obstacle. With encouragement from her team captain, she pushed through the anxiety. Her resilience shone brightest during the team event, which she now recalls as the most memorable part of her debut. "At first, I was scared, but I accepted the challenge with a brave heart. I'm really happy because I was able to make a comeback," she stated.
From Arnis to Archery: A Passion Forged in Davao
Ibag's athletic journey began not with a bow, but with a traditional Filipino martial art. At age 11, she was practicing arnis under the tutelage of her father, Michael Ibag, a Department of Education teacher. He suggested she try archery, noting the sport had no weight restrictions. Initially, Ibag found the pace of archery slow compared to the adrenaline of arnis. However, her perspective transformed after joining the Davao Archery Club and training under Coach Arnold Stoney Rojas, an accomplished international archer. "Coach Arnold is my idol. When he became my coach, my performance and scores improved significantly," Ibag shared. "Since then, archery became more than just a sport for me, it became my passion."
Balancing Academics and National Pride
Ibag's path to the SEA Games was paved with impressive achievements, including multiple gold medals in the Philippine National Archery Championships, Philippine Archery Cup, and ASEAN Youth Archery Championship, alongside setting several new Philippine records. This consistency earned her a coveted spot on the national team. Juggling this commitment with her final year of university required significant sacrifice. "To prepare for the SEA Games, I filed a Leave of Absence this semester because national team training was held in Manila for two months," she explained. She viewed the balancing act as a challenge worth accepting for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For Ibag, every competition is driven by a deep sense of purpose. She dedicates her performance to her supportive family, her inspirational coach, and her faith. "I play for my family who has supported me, and above all, for the Lord, for all the blessings, opportunities, and guidance He has given me," Ibag said. Looking forward, her goals remain focused on growth and joy. "To have fun in every competition and keep improving. Archery is my passion, and I want to follow in the footsteps of Coach Arnold while making my own mark," the promising young archer concluded.
