Filipino-Japanese kickboxer Rei Cuaycong Setoguchi shares how kickboxing not only gives him awards and fame, but also a balanced and happy life.
In the beginning, taking on kickboxing was not Rei Cuaycong Setoguchi´s idea of fun. He would rather play football with his friends than kicking and punching. He wanted to be like his football idol, Ronaldo. But his Japanese father, a black belter in karate was having none of it. He convinced his youngest child to take on one of Japan´s top contact combat sports. Rei didn´t have a choice but to obey his dad.
“I didn´t like kickboxing at first. I thought it was a violent sport. My father had a friend who owned a martial arts gym. I was his first student,” says a very shy Rei, 24, in our Zoom interview together with her Filipina mom, Anne Cuaycong, who serves as his interpreter.
At the age of eight, Rei immersed himself to the world of kickboxing, spending his days in the gym, mastering his kicks and punches while his friends were enjoying their football matches. He eventually grew fond of the sport. Little did he know that years later, he would become one of the most promising kickboxers in Kyosho.
Turning kickboxing into a passion
Born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Rei was only two and a half years old when his mom and dad decided to take the whole family to Japan in 2002. Together with his two older sisters, they grew up between two cultures, in a close-knit and loving family. Although he doesn´t speak Filipino, Rei understands Ilonggo especially when his mom gets angry. He loves adobo, valenciana and Pinoy spaghetti.
Rei started competing at the age of 15 in amateur tournaments. Undefeated with four wins, he became a professional fighter two years later. However, to everybody´s surprise, he decided to take a break right after graduating from high school.
For two years, her searched for his place in the world. He dedicated his time to his studies and even tried his hand at breakdancing. “But later, I was missing the gym. I wanted to have something to be proud of myself. I was already 20 then, more mature and responsible.” He went back to kickboxing with more dedication, turning it into a passion.
In kickboxing,I can show what kind of person I am. I can be tough but I can also be gentle.
-Rei Cuaycong Setoguchi
Rei has learned politeness and respect for the sport, his team and his opponents. He motivates himself and gives his best not only during competitions but also during practice sessions.
He takes care of his body with proper diet which includes chicken breast, fruits and vegetables, and daily exercise. He runs 10 km on weekdays after work. On Saturdays and Sundays, he practices with his instructor and a sparring partner. He also goes fishing with his friends or his parents in the countryside. He competes three times a year.
Overcoming defeat
But just like life, not everyday is a sunny day. Rei had a taste of defeat for the first time in December 2021. It was painful but he didn´t let regret occupy his mental state. Instead, he examined what he missed, he analyzed and evaluated what to do and not do in his next fight. “I wanted to win in my next match so I worked very hard.”
Every time Rei enters the ring, he always thinks of his team and his family. He always dedicates his matches to them. It really counts when he sees them by the ringside cheering for him.
At first, Rei´s mom, Anne Cuaycong was not too keen on the idea of seeing his son fight in the ring. As a mother, she feels uncomfortable seeing Rei getting hit in the ring or left injured after a fight. But she knows that her son loves the sport and all she can do is pray and support him. “Rei is a sweet son. Very respectful. He still calls me everyday when he goes to work.”
One of Rei´s fears is losing. With one loss however, he now knows the feeling of defeat. He has learned to accept that in competitions and in life, we win or we lose. There is a famous Japanses saying “Muri Shinai de” which literally means “Don´t overdo it”. Rei knows that he wants to win but he doesn’t have to over do it because the most important thing is to take defeat with humility, stand up and move on.
At present, Rei works as a banker in Kagoshima Perfecture, two hours away from where his parents live. He now ranks No. 2 in the state of Kyosho with 8 wins and 1 loss. He dreams of competing in the national and international competitions someday. He also wants to open his own gym and teach kickboxing.“I love kickboxing. It is my life. I can´t imagine quitting anytime soon.”
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