MANILA – The Philippines bagged two silver medals in the Asia & Oceania Sambo Championships at the Forum de Macau Stadium on Sunday.
Feruza Khurozova of Uzbekistan beat Davao City native Sydney Sy-Tancontian, a two-time Asian champion, 6-1, in the women's +80kg final.
Sy-Tancontian defeated Sabina Agajanova of Turkmenistan, 8-1, while Khurozova stunned world No. 1 Arailyn Abenova of Kazakhstan, 2-1, in the semifinal round.
The 24-year-old Sy-Tancontian, also a a bronze medalist at the 2023 World Sambo Championships in Armenia, is Athletes Commission chairperson of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS).
Meanwhile, Paris Open champion Aislinn Agnes Yap bowed to Madina Yerzhan of Kazakhstan, 1-2, in the women's -80kg final.
Yap improved on her third-place performance in Astana, Kazakhstan last year.
The bronze medal went to Saodat Ishmuradova of Turmenistan.
Sy-Tancontian and Yap are both products of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Manila 2019 Southeast Asian Games champion Chino Sy-Tancontian (men's -98kg), Janry Pamor (men's 64kg) and Aumaegel Princess Cortez (women's -59kg) missed the podium.
Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. president Paolo Tancontian said there is a need to further hone the skills of their athletes.
"I consider this a good performance from our athletes compared to last year because we improved a lot in terms of medal we obtained. However, we still have a lot of room for improvement and every day is a learning process because Asia is considered a world-class level and it’s strong," the father of Chino and Sydney, said.
"Eighty percent of world champions come from Asia so we have a chance. There is great improvement and we are one of the strongest in Asia. Even if our NSA (national sports association) is the youngest, we are already a powerhouse," he added.
Yap, Marianne Mariano (women's 59kg), Jomary Torres (women's 54kg), Robin Catalan (men's 58kg), Godwin Langbayan (men's 64kg) and Mcleary Ornido (men's 71kg) are expected to snare slots to the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.
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