By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II
Contributor
AT 53 years old, Jessica Hojas Esparrago gamely undermined her age calling it as just a number.
And proof of that, Esparrago continues to flex her muscles in karate competitions with positive results.
In her recent outing, Esparrago came up with a pair of silver medal finishes in the Master’s Cup of the Traditional Karate Open 2023 being held at the Subic Bay gymnasium in Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City.
What has been interesting about her is her work ethic, grinding every day as a sports director in the tertiary department of the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.
Not only that, but she also served as a Physical Education instructor and a coach in karate for more than 30 years at the university.
Esparrago had her influence in the martial arts sport from no less than her mother club, the Japan Karate Association-Asia Pilipinas, where she earned her highest degree in karate as a third dan black belter.
Her karate mates from JKA Cagayan de Oro also landed in the medal circle during the Subic meet such as Christine Cabrejas, Anne Katherine Gabor, and her daughter Jheskay Aden Esparrago who excelled in the black belt open division.
Both Mary Rose Zephorah Factura and Uriel Ian Baz also won medals in the intermediate section.
During her prime, the elder Esparrago enjoyed success in various editions of JKA’s Iwabuchi Cup, though she considered her title wins in the 1st Mindanao Shoto Cup in 2000 and the 16th Inter-JKA National Tournament Women’s Kumite in 2003 as very memorable.
Despite her busy routines in school, Esparrago continues to live as one, accompanying her 19-year-old daughter Jheskay to her journey in karate that was disrupted by the pandemic.
“I want to grow old with her as she seeks her fulfillment in the karate sport,” said Esparrago.
“I get bored just being a fan, realizing I’m a fighter. I’m still in shape and I do not mind my age because it’s just a number,” Esparrago said in jest. (With reports from Lynde Salgados)
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