Raising Young Spartans: The Role of Family in Building Young Champions

The 2024 Kids World Championship gave a glimpse into the country’s budding obstacle course running (OCR athletes)

Manila, Philippines, September 3, 2024 – The 2024 Kids World Championship was recently held last August 17, 2024 in Chongli, China, and young Filipino champions have once again proven their strength, endurance, and perseverance on the global stage. Behind every young Spartan who crossed the finish line was a dedicated support system in their families, playing a crucial role in nurturing them toward excellence. MILO® Philippines, in collaboration with Spartan Kids Philippines, was also one with the athletes as they took part in the celebration of the vital role of family support in raising the next generation of Champions. 10-year old Juliana and 7-year old Sebastian, children of Namee and Justin Sunico showcased their incredible talent and determination at the Spartan Kids Championship, as Girls 9-11 Finisher and Open 7-9 Finisher respectively. 7-year old Nicolette Celis, daughter of Marc Celis, was also an Open 7-9 Finisher. Their hard work and perseverance paid off as they completed the course in record time and overcame challenging obstacles.

Just as well, we got to hear from some of the proud families who participated in the competition. Namee Sunico, mom of Juliana and Sebastian Sunico, shared how she passed down her love of OCR to her kids. “I joined Spartan back in 2019 and then sabi ko, sana there’s one for kids… Spartan Race gave them the opportunity to overcome discomfort at such a young age given na may putik, maulan, marumi, at mahirap,” shares Namee. Thanks to their family’s support, Juliana and Sebastian have grown to be determined Spartan athletes, ready to take on any challenge.

Similarly, the father of competitor Nicolette Celis, Marc, is proud of his daughter for not only competing on the global stage – but in the work she puts in behind the scenes as well and how OCR encouraged her to let go of her initial fear and shyness.

IN PHOTOS: (L-R) Sebastian Sunico, Julianna Sunico, and Nicolette Celis

“Nicolette now sees herself as a coach and likes to help people with what to do, what workouts to exercise, and sometimes teaches obstacles as well; this is how involved she is,” adds Marc when talking of Nicolette's consistent growth with OCR. Logan Limbo, Zach Exequiel Enriquez, and Sarayu Breeze Prudente ranked 9 (Boys 9-11), 10 (Boys 9-11), and 13 (Girls 12-14) respectively at the 2024 Kids World Championship, showing their relentless perseverance and grit to reach new heights and improve their sense of exploration through OCR. MILO® has long been an advocate for active, healthy lifestyles, particularly among young Filipinos. Through its sponsorship with Spartan Kids Philippines, MILO® aims to inspire more families to encourage their children to participate in sports.

Carlo Sampan, Head of MILO® Sports stated, “We are incredibly proud of all the young athletes who competed in the Spartan Kids Championship. Their success is a testament to the power of family support and the importance of providing the right nutrition and energy, which MILO® is committed to delivering.”

As the dust settles on the 2024 Kids World Championship, the focus remains not just on the young athletes who showcased their talents but also on the families who stood by them, providing the foundation they needed to succeed.

Together with MILO®, these families are raising a generation of strong, resilient, and determined young Spartans. For more information on MILO® Philippines and its sports clinic programs, visit https://www.milo.com.ph/ and MILO®’s Facebook page.

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