Fil-Am wrestler hopes to strike gold in Thailand

From Malaya Business Insight | Author Bong Pedralvez

OPING to vie for the country in the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games, accomplished Fil-Am wrestler Gabe Dinette will showcase his grappling skills in the National Wrestling Championships at the Tagaytay Combat Center from Aug. 30 to 31 in Cavite.

Born in Aiea, Hawaii, Dinette, 25, was a wrestling standout and three-year skipper for Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado, and was a three-time state champion in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the 66, 69 and 73-kilogram divisions, respectively. He was likewise the 5A League Most Valuable Player.

According to the Duke University sports website, he “holds his high school records for career wins, career pins and most team points scores,” and is a four-time Academic All-American.

As a collegiate wrestler, he was a starter for both Stanford, where his father James also wrestled, and Duke from 2019 to 2023, completing an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in engineering, respectively, in both top academic and US NCAA Division 1 schools.

“From my grandfather playing baseball at BYU to my siblings and me competing in Division I sports, we did it all growing up, but wrestling is what stuck with me,” said the FILAM Sports protégé in a story posted on its website yesterday.

Dinette said he drew his inspiration from his grandmother, Lita Castro, who was born in Sta. Ana, Manila, went to Paco Catholic School and Gregg Business School before migrating to the US 57 years ago, giving birth to his mom, Monique.   

To continue article, click here.