Cristina Etpison Nicolescu, a young Palauan wrestler, that has represented Palau in numerous regional and international wrestling competitions donates money he was awarded back to Palau National Olympic Committee “to help other athletes develop their god-given abilities and pursue their dreams”.
Mr. Nicolescu endorsed the check he received for $425.00 from PNOC and gave to Minister Baklai Temengil-Chilton. “Being able to represent Palau through sports have motived me to be the best version of myself. It has brought me closer to my roots and I have gained deeper appreciation for our culture,” stated Nicolescu in his letter to the Palau National Olympics Committee.
Furthermore, he said, “this organization has helped me to become who I am today and I hope to motivate more youth in Palau to pursue athletic and Olympic dreams, and to like myself, keep an active and healthy lifestyle.”
Mr. Nicolescu has represented Palau in numerous regional and international competitions including 2015 World Championship in Las Vegas, USA, Oceania 2015 Wrestling Championships, Indoor & Outdoor Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat 2017, 2017 Oceana Wrestling to name a few, collecting many medals.
Mr. Nicolescu and two of his teammates are ranked at top of their weight division in Micronesia and Oceania regions. (L.N. Reklai)