“Sambo is just starting to take root in the country yet our sambo athletes have already brought us pride and honor in international competition.”
This was the statement of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Chairman of Pilipinas Sambo Federation, Inc. (PSFI) after the Philippines harvested six medals in two days of competition in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Angeles University Foundation Gymnasium in Pampanga.
“Our six medals show that we can compete and excel at the international level.”
Sambo is a type of martial art and combat sport that was included for the first time in the SEA Games. Six countries sent teams — Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Out of 530 events during the biennial SEA Games, sambo was among 12 disciplines that made their debuts.
The latest medal tally shows the Philippines winning 2 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronzes for sambo.
The two golds were won by Mark Striegl in the Combat Sambo 74 kilograms (kg) division and Chino Sy at the Sports Sambo 82kg division on the first day of competitions.
These were followed by two bronze medals from Patrick Paul Manicad in the Combat Sambo 82 kgs division and Jose Rene Mondejar III at the Combat Sambo 90 kgs division.
The second day proved equally successful, with veteran wushu artist and MMA star Rene Catalan winning silver at the Combat Sambo 57kg division after succumbing to his Indonesian opponent during the finals match, having played with an injury sustained from an illegal maneuver by his opponent in the semi-finals match.
A final bronze medal came from the mixed team event courtesy of Helen Aclopen, Mariane Mariano, Jedd Andre Kim, Renzo Cazenas and Patrick Dos Santos.
Nograles beamed at the stellar performance of the Filipino contingent, stating that the grassroots implementation of the sport has already produced results in so short a time.
“Our six medals show that we can compete and excel at the international level. We need to continue focusing our energies and resources to further developing sambo. It would open a lot of opportunities for our youth,” Nograles stressed.
Nograles likewise took the opportunity to thank the teams, coaches and supporters for their dedication and commitment.
“We’ll take on the challenge of popularizing this combat sport so that more Filipinos will join.”
“This sambo victory is a big win for the sport and for the country. We’re writing a new chapter with these SEA games results and we’ll take on the challenge of popularizing this combat sport so that more Filipinos will join and become aware of how dynamic and promising this martial art is, especially in terms of gaining acclaim for us in worldwide competitions,” said Nograles, a former Davao representative.