No time wasted for Nicole
* You can achieve what you want as long as you have dedication and determination to do it. Trust in your skills and abilities. Be confident and don't quit!
Nicole Wuthrich
One admirable lady is Nicole Wuthrich, a Cum Laude graduate of Sports Science from the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus. During her graduation, she was awarded as Outstanding Student Athlete and was inducted as member of the prestigious Honor Society of the Phi Kappa Phi, which consists of graduates bearing the distinctions of summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude in the whole country.
Even when she was a kid, Nicole had been active in sports, mainly in taekwondo. She started with the sport at age six. Then, as she grew older, she engaged in climbing, ultimate Frisbee and later, surfing.
She and her siblings Wilfrid, Margaret and Wayne are all sports minded, thanks to the influence of their parents Bernadette, a swimming teacher and Wilfredo Wuthrich.
Learn more about Nicole in this interview.
Kathy M. Villalon (KMV): What's your recent achievement in taekwondo?
Nicole Wuthrich (NW): At the 2007 UAAP Games, I won a silver medal. I competed against Ester Marie Singson, a gold medalist in the Sea Games, winning by sudden death.
Nicole, the rock climber.
KMV: Have you won gold medals?
NW: Yes, several in the past.
KMV: How about climbing. How did you get into this?
NW: When we were younger, my brother Willot (nickname for Wilfrid) joined and when he won, we decided to try it every Sunday. We used to wall climb at the Amigo Hotel's wall before. Now, I climb at the Power Up in Manila. I'm now residing in Manila, I'm just here in Iloilo for a vacation.
KMV: Have you joined competitions in this sport?
NW: Yes, mostly winning first place. Lately, I ventured into speed climbing and I ended up at second place.
The surfer
KMV: Do you compete in the international level, too?
NW: Yes, for taekwondo and climbing. For the former, I won a silver medal in Korea and a bronze in the United States. For climbing, I participated in a bouldering competition of the Southeast Asia Climbing Federation.
KMV: How do you feel during a climb?
NW: When I wasn't trained yet, I felt nervous. Here, you have to be mentally and physically prepared. This is a game of techniques, thus it's more of a mental game. We also have instructors here.
KMV: And how do you feel during a teakwondo competition?
NW: The fear is still there; it's normal. I feel more challenged when i compete against a national team member or a well known player.
The taekwondo expert
KMV: Have you ever been hit?
NW: Yes. When i was still in grade school, a Korean boy kicked me on the lips and it really bled. When I saw the blood, I didn't want to fight anymore but my mom prodded me to go on, saying that I could do it. So I did.
KMV: Tell us about ultimate Frisbee.
NW: This sport is more about team play. If you and your team don't have a connection, nothing good will happen. One has to be present during the training because plays are being proposed, so you'll know what to do. Doing Frisbee is fun. It's a new experience for me because I'm not used to playing with a team. I normally work alone, like in taekwondo.
KMV: Which sport do you love most?
NW: I feel I have achieved much in taekwondo.
KMV: Do you also have time for non-sports activities?
NW: Yes. I find time to go out shopping with friends. I'm the type of person who wants activity all the time.
KMV: Speaking of activity, any new sports you're into now?
NW: I've been trying out surfing since 2004. But it wasn't so serious then. It was this year that I really got into it seriously. In fact, I'm so addicted to it that I travel to difference places once a month in order to surf. The places I've been to are Batangas, Baler, La Union and Zambales.
KMV: Are you going to venture into sports as a profession?
NW: Well, I want to be a doctor. This September, I will review for the NMAT, my preparation for medical school.
KMV: Why are you eyeing medical practice?
NW: I told myself that I reached Cum Laude, I know I could handle being a doctor. Besides, my tita and lola are doctors. Honestly, I'm afraid of blood but they said that in time, you'll get used to it.
KMV: How would you describe Nicole Wuthrich?
NW: If someone puts me down, I strive even more to prove that I could do it. Once I'm into something, I do my best. I am very competitive. I owe these attitudes to my parents. They instilled in me the idea that I could handle everything that comes my way. Engaging in sports has also given me confidence in whatever I do.
KMV: If there's something you want to change in you, what is it?
NW: Nothing. I am contented with what I have right now.
KMV: If you have something to say to your family, what will it be?
NW: Thank you for your all-out support, unconditional love and for giving me the strength to fulfill my goals . I love you all and I feel very blessed that I have all of you.
KMV: If you have something to say to the youth, what will it be?
NW: You can achieve what you want as long as you have dedication and determination to do it. Trust in your skills and abilities. Be confident and don't quit!