Kicking his way to success

MANILA, Philippines - His sports career began in basketball but it was in taekwondo where John Paul “Japoy” Lizardo (photo) found success. His talents notwithstanding; Japoy also credits the values he learned from sports as keys to his triumphs, and for bringing out the champion in him, as he hopes to inspire others.

Japoy says sports taught him self-discipline, sportsmanship, being responsible and respectful; thanks to the support and guidance of his parents and various Milo-sponsored sports clinics, which Japoy attended as a child. “The Milo-sponsored sports clinics not only developed my skills but also inculcated in me character-forming values that helped me both as an athlete and as a person,” says Japoy, a product of Milo-sponsored Best Center basketball clinics. Japoy joined Milo Little Olympics, where he received the prestigious Most Outstanding Athlete award in 1998.

Japoy has medals in taekwondo competitions here and abroad, the most significant of which was the gold medal he won at the 2005 South East Asian Games in Manila.

His life though isn’t without challenges, the biggest of which was when he was still a student at De La Salle University. “Being a student athlete is hard because you have to juggle school requirements with taekwondo practices at the same time. But I persevered because I was really intent on graduating. Education is very important, it’s something that can’t be taken away from you,” says Japoy, who recently earned a sports management degree.

As a Milo sports ambassador, Japoy says he feels honored to be associated with the brand, which is known for building champions in life. He adds his partnership with Milo, particularly its sports programs, helped him develop his skills and reach out to more aspiring athletes.

As Japoy aims to represent the country in the 2012 London Olympics, the young athlete has shown that he’s a champion in sports and in life.