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Lexus NX and SEA Games champ Agatha Wong forge ahead toward even greater triumphs

Lexus NX and SEA Games champ Agatha Wong forge ahead toward even greater triumphs

Charles Buban

Lexus NX and Agatha Wong recently forged a special partnership. Wong, a two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and a bronze medalist in the Asian Games became the NX’s latest brand ambassador.

It is no surprise that the two should click: Wong is inspired by the NX’s craftsmanship and passion behind the creation of this luxury SUV. She shares the same values, work ethic, and passion of Lexus’ Takumi master craftsmen. In Japan, the word “takumi” refers to a craftsperson who is unrivalled in their particular field of expertise. It is applied to artisans who have been honing their senses and level of skill over a period of at least 25 years.

“In Wushu, the most important trait that a person should acquire is discipline,” she shares. “Discipline is what sets a good athlete apart from regular athletes. Another trait that should be developed over the years is resilience. Resilience and discipline go hand in hand when it comes to everything in life, especially in sports.”

Wong began her Wushu journey when she was 12. One year later, she turned professional and began training even more extensively. She’s now 22 with three gold medals under her belt, and yet she’s still pushing herself to achieve even more. “I’m hungry to learn new things every day,” she added. “As in Wushu, there are no limits to which your mind and body can comprehend a certain skill. If you want it, there’s a way. And if not, there are only excuses.”

Passion

On the other hand, the Lexus NX was crafted for drivers who are looking for a powerful and exhilarating crossover to drive, and who also appreciate the time, effort, and passion that was put into the construction of their luxury SUV of choice. With the Takumi craftsmanship behind the Lexus NX, attention to even the smallest details is paramount. This is no different from the kind of control expected from Wushu practitioners at the highest level.

Now with the NX by her side, she believed, there’s no doubt that she will push herself to even greater heights in her chosen sport. The Takumi craftsmen who built the Lexus NX to the highest levels of quality share a similar passion and drive toward improving every single time. It’s no wonder that Agatha and the Lexus NX make for an ideal partnership. For both of them, the quest toward perfection never ends, and the improvements are constant.

Best traits

Lexus has taken the best traits from its decades of experience building SUVs, and then condensed it into the highly focused NX crossover. It is nimble, thanks to its tuned suspension that has been tweaked for improved turn-in response and steady-state cornering. Its skin is taut, inspired by the LC 500 coupé.

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Elegant yet bold, the NX is sure to draw attention and turn heads, just as Wong does each time she competes. When she takes to the floor, her acrobatic movements are graceful yet powerful. It takes years of training and focus to master the patterns and to have full control over one’s body. For her, the hard work has indeed paid off.

Apart from adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all variants, the NX will also debut the Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS)—connected to the braking system to mitigate any chances of unintended acceleration if the wrong pedal is pressed while parking—on its luxury models soon.

Underneath the NX’s sculpted sheet metal is serious performance delivered by a powerful and fuel-efficient turbocharged direct-injection 2.0- liter inline-4 engine.

“I never would have imagined that I would be an ambassador of the Lexus brand, let alone be considered a part of it,” Wong recounts. “I’m deeply grateful to be given this opportunity and I will do everything in my power to keep setting a good example to the Filipino youth… especially in the area of sports.”