He was a BS Mechanical Engineering student, a member of the DLSU Judo team and a member of the Judo National team in his collegiate stay in DLSU. The LaSallian gives you an insider on Jayson Senales’ career.
The art of Judo
As a kid, Senales learned both Taekwondo and Judo. Senales, however decided to pursue Judo because of its characteristic fine and graceful movements in a fight. Moreover, Judo’s reputation as the safest martial arts, a means fight in “a gentle way” appealed to his personality.
“Before ka matuto bumato, kelangan mo muna matutong bumagsak,” Senales said as he recalled the fundamentals of Judo.
Captain from the start to end
In 2003, Jayson Senales’ rookie year, he was immediately appointed team captain of the Judo team up until his final year in 2007.
Despite taking up engineering and playing for the National team, Senales’ commitment to both endeavors did not waiver. He finished his UAAP Judo career without a single defeat from his rookie season to his final bow on the mats.
“Noong college, mas may pressure sa amin kasi that time konti lang ang member for UAAP [Judo], mga less than five. All eyes on you, nandoon and pressure na every game dapat convincing ang win mo. Almost every year naman memorable, but then yung first year pa rin yung iba.” Senales recalled.
International Judo stint
Competing for the first time as a National team player in the 2005 Sea Games in Manila, Senales managed to grab the fifth spot for the Philippines.
In his succeeding Sea Games bids, he showed tremendous improvement as he garnered bronze medals for both the 2007 and 2009 Sea Games in Thailand and Laos respectively.
A sensei and an engineer
After graduating in 2008, Senales focused on his career as a member of the National team. At the same time, DLSU’s Office of Sports Development (OSD) hired him as an assistant coach for the Judo team.
Meanwhile, he still pursued a career in engineering. He took the PRC Board Exam in 2011, which he passed.
At present, aside from teaching the art of Judo, the current assistant coach of DLSU Judokas also advises his aspirants on other athlete fundamentals such as proper diet. Moreover, being aware on the difficulty in being a student-athlete, he also guides his players in their studies.
More than the art of grappling, Senales values attitude towards the sport he respects. Despite earning a professional degree, he has managed to allot time to give back to his Alma Mater as he continues to stay behind DLSU’s Judo programs.
