Juliana Gomez recognizes boyfriend Miggy Bautista as one of the pillars of her fencing career.
Read also: Juliana Gomez on fencing victory in Thailand: “Confident ako sa mga galaw ko noong araw na iyon.”
As much as she credits her own determination and discipline for her achievements, Juliana doesn't hesitate to recognize the people who have stood with her along the way — that includes her beau and fellow fencer, Miggy.
In an exclusive interview with Candy Magazine, the 22-year-old athlete related that getting involved with someone who excels more than her in the sport has inspired her to aim higher and take more risks.
"Being close to someone who’s so much better than you really pushes you to try different things in the sport, to do better," she said.
"He really pulled me up to a higher level."
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CONSTANT REASSURANCE
Beyond their romantic connection, Juliana and Miggy's bond lies in their mutual passion for fencing, and reassuring one another that they've got each other's back.
They train and compete together, sharing the highs and lows of the sport: "When I told him, ‘Miggy, I feel like I’m hitting a wall,’ to me, it was such a big problem. It felt so heavy.
"But then to him, he was telling me, ‘I’ve been there; I’m not worried about you. Know that this is how you get yourself out of this rut, here are the steps that you can take…’"
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Juliana expressed, "For me, it feels good that he’s already been through whatever I did. Like he’s already a thousand steps ahead of me.
"It’s good to have someone who doesn’t want me to learn those lessons the way he did and wants me to grow as quickly as possible.
"I love that he’s so much better than me."
GETTING ALONG WITH HER FRIENDS
Another thing Juliana appreciates about her significant other is how he puts in the effort to mingle with her friends.
She revealed, "The thing with Miggy is that he really gets along with my friends.
"I have a very small circle, so it’s nice not having him as a separate entity. ‘Cause some people are like that, their relationship is separate.
"But I’m very comfortable with him, and we spend a lot of time together.
"Number one, we’re best friends.
"Second, we’re kind of teammates ‘cause we train together every day. So we also share the trials and tribulations of fencing."
For Juliana, having someone who understands the unique challenges and demands of fencing is invaluable.
Read also: Richard Gomez warmly welcomes daughter Juliana's rumored boyfriend in his cooking vlog
Whether it's a romantic partner, a friend, or a mentor, having someone like Miggy who believes in her and her goals can make all the difference in achieving them.
PARENTAL SUPPORT
In a world where individual achievement is often celebrated above all else, often spiting the so-called ‘nepo babies,’ Juliana's acknowledgment of the support system behind her success is refreshing.
She recognizes that she has been fortunate to have access to the best coaches and resources, thanks in part to her parents Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez, and their family's connections in the fencing community.
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"I definitely have an advantage when it comes to having the freedom to train the way I want," she admitted.
"And I say that because I trained abroad a few times. I competed abroad.
"It’s a big part of how I was able to become better at a quicker pace.
"So of course, my parents really helped me with that.
"They really supported my dream, they made sure that all I had to do was train and go to school and they’ll take care of everything.
"They make sure that I live a comfortable life and I’m so grateful for that."
At the end of the day, Juliana believes that it is her own grit and determination, as well as the support of her loved ones, that will see her through.
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