Brilliant sportswoman Bea Lucero-Lhuillier full of gratitude

Years before she married businessman and sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier and became a mother of four, Bea Lucero was already making headlines as a child prodigy who excelled not in one, but two sports – gymnastics and taekwondo.

Lucero, now 53, dazzled in both local and international competitions, where one of her hauls was a bronze medal in the 1992 Barcelona Games, at the time when taekwondo was still a demo sport.

She also excelled in gymnastics with a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games before leaving the sport at the age of 15.

She even competed in wushu, a testament to her versatility as an athlete during her prime. After bringing pride and glory to the country by carrying the Philippine flag on numerous international stages through the years, Lucero became one of the inductees in the 5th Philippines Sports Hall of Fame over the weekend.

“I’m truly honored and it’s kind of surreal that I’m part of the Philippine Hall of Fame,” said Lucero, a daughter of Leana, an educator, and Tony Lucero, a lawyer who fought politics in sports.

“I think it's a recognition for all the hard work that I have done, my family has done, the Philippines has put in all the athletes and I appreciate it and I'm truly honored for that recognition,” she added.

Also a bronze medalist in the women’s taekwondo event of the 1992 Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Lucero was immortalized as part of the “Magnificent Seven”, joining PBA legend Mon Fernandez, boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, late basketball and football player Eduardo Pacheco, tennis ace Cecil Mamiit, para powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta, and trackster Isidro del Prado in the notable list.

For Lucero, becoming an inspiration is already a big consolation after serving the flag for many years.

“Well, it's just something that I hope for. This was never in the plan to have people aspire to be like me. I just did what I loved,” said Lucero. “I did what I knew and I was willing to work hard for it. I was willing to put in the dedication and I just tried to persevere.”

She also left a message to the youth, emphasizing the importance of committing to the goal even when the days are tough.

“Like I keep mentioning, please never give up. When the going gets tough, continue on. Train, especially the days that you don't want to train,” Lucero continued. “Still wake up and train because those are the defining moments when you don't feel like doing it. Those are the moments when you probably should get up and do it and work for it because that will set you a goal.”

Meanwhile, Lucero, having experienced firsthand what gymnastics was like in her time, was simply amazed with the success of Carlos and Eldrew Yulo.

“I think it's fantastic. Never in my wildest dreams. So I think that witnessing their success has been mind boggling, the kind of work, the fame, the level of gymnastics that they do.

Carlos and Eldrew clinched a gold and a bronze in floor exercise, respectively, at 13th Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Sunyi, China last Saturday.

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