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What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

What Buddah loves most about baseball is the challenge of becoming better than he was yesterday. He genuinely loves the game, but he also loves the daily grind that comes with it. Whether it is practice, training, or working on the little things on his own, he understands that improvement does not happen overnight. He keeps showing up, putting in the work, and holding himself accountable, even on the days when things are hard or do not go his way. What makes baseball especially meaningful to Bu

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

His biggest inspiration comes from the coaches, teammates, and family who continue to believe in him, challenge him, and remind him that nothing is given—you have to earn it. He looks up to athletes who stay humble, work hard, and put the team before themselves. Coming from the small community of Ewa Beach, Hawaiʻi, it is not always easy to get the same opportunities or exposure as athletes from bigger cities. That has never stopped Buddah. Instead, it pushes him to work harder, take advantage

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

My proudest moment was watching Buddah embrace becoming a catcher when his heart was at shortstop and on the mound. Instead of resisting the challenge, he trusted his coaches, put his head down, and went to work. He turned an unfamiliar role into another place to grow and compete. Watching him choose the team over his comfort zone showed me the athlete he is becoming. As his mom, I’m proudest not of the position he plays, but of the character he showed earning his place behind the plate.