In a stunning display of grit and determination, Filipino athlete Marc Alexander Lim overcame a severe injury to secure not one, but two bronze medals for the Philippines at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Victory Forged Through Pain and Willpower
The 28-year-old native of Davao City achieved his podium finishes in the men's jiu-jitsu newaza -69 kilogram division and the mixed team event. What makes his accomplishment extraordinary is that he competed with a completely torn ACL, an injury that would sideline most athletes. When asked how he managed, Lim's answer was simple yet powerful: "Lots of tape and willpower."
His campaign began with a high-stakes, must-win match against the tournament's top seed from Singapore, a decorated opponent with three consecutive SEA Games gold medals and a world championship silver. The loser would be eliminated without a medal. The intense bout pushed into overtime, where Lim's patience paid off. He seized a crucial opening to win on a golden score, advancing to the quarterfinals.
A Grueling Path to the Podium
With minimal time to recover, Lim was immediately called back to the mat to face a hometown favorite from Thailand. Fatigue from his previous battle led to a critical error, dropping him into the bracket fighting for bronze. "I didn't feel like I recovered properly," Lim admitted. "That mistake sent me to the bronze rounds."
Refusing to be defeated, the Filipino jiu-jitsu artist regrouped magnificently. He won every subsequent match, culminating in a dominant 19-0 victory over another Thai opponent to clinch the bronze medal. Despite the hardware, Lim confessed to mixed feelings. "I was honestly very frustrated because I felt the gold was within reach," he shared. "But at least I was able to push through and get a medal. Competing at this level for this long is a privilege."
A Test of Resilience and Dedication
The 2025 SEA Games marked Lim's fourth appearance at the regional meet. He adds these two bronzes to a previous collection that includes silver from the 2019 Philippines Games, bronze from Vietnam 2021, and gold from Cambodia 2023. This edition, however, presented a unique challenge. He suffered the complete ACL tear early in his training camp, forcing him to cancel overseas training and adapt his preparation at home.
"With the help of my doctors, physios and training partners, we found a way," Lim said, giving credit to his support team at Limitless, KMA Makati, and Carpe Diem Makati. He described the competition in Thailand as unforgiving, with no easy matches from the very first round.
Lim dedicated his hard-earned medals to his late grandfather, who passed away during his preparations. "This one is for my Kong-Kong," he said. "He was always proud and always supportive." He also offered the victory to his students in Davao, hoping his journey teaches them about composure under pressure—a lesson he echoed in a Facebook post on December 15, writing, "Win or lose, we move on and be better."
