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Beneath the roar of the crowd and the glare of the gymnasium lights, over 20 fighters from across the world step into a six-foot high, 30-foot-wide cage. The area — better known as the “octagon” — is a place where competitors showcase their training and combative skills. For one San Franciso native, it was almost a second home.
“When it comes to martial arts, I want to always be around it. I just love it,” declared Senior Airman Jonas Sunga, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, aircraft electrical and environmental systems technician.
The Turnerschaft Rodalben Halle sports gymnasium transformed into an exhibition for a local martial arts competition. The fight night showcased the talent, hard work and dedication of artists mastering their craft of mixed martial arts, kickboxing and Muay Thai. The participants weren’t just fighting for the knockout, but also supporting an honorable cause. The event raised money for a charity that supported research on cancer and other life-threatening illnesses within the German community.
“My mom was sick, so it means a lot to me,” expressed Sunga. “My great friend, my great coach has lost somebody due to leukemia, and [it] means a lot that I could have my hand in raising money for something like this,”
His unit, which falls under 86th Airlift Wing, is located at Ramstein Air Base, and is responsible for aircraft and equipment maintenance to fulfill the wing’s airlift, contingency, and support missions.
Martial arts are able to impart discipline, grit, courage and honor that Sunga can apply on the flightline or on the mat. The principles found in martial arts share the characteristics of the warrior ethos, which emphasizes strength of character and resilience.
“Mixed martial arts teaches me perseverance,” Sunga said. “For example, being down one round, I’ll come back to the second round with my head held high. In my workplace, if I didn’t fix the plane in the amount of time that I need to, I would come back the next day and try my hardest to do so. Not letting the past effect what’s going to happen in the present and future.”
Jonas expressed that he wouldn’t have been successful in either work or in the arena without support.
He had a team of coaches, trainers and most importantly, his family.
Courtesy photo
Family plays a big part in his overall mindset and motivation to inspire and become a role model for his younger siblings, Sunga explained. His fearless mentality is something he hopes that his siblings can take away when it comes to overcoming obstacles and challenges.
“I get to show my little brothers and sisters … that literally diving into fear and showing courage is what really matters,” said Sunga. “It’s doing something courageous, doing something that you might fail, but you still go in your best and try to get the job done.”
Sunga hopes to continue being a positive influence while progressing in his professional and martial arts career.
As part of that hope, he would like to become a coach, mentoring the next generations of fighters.
