Five Cordillera fighters struck for gold in the 8th Philippine Sports Commission Women’s Martial Arts Festival at several venues in Metro Manila.
Muay thai artist Erika Islay Bomogao led the charge as she earned a mint in the more graceful side of the Thai national sport.
Bomogao defeated waikru partner Richien Yosorez to win the individual wiakru event.
The pair took the gold in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last May as they prepare for the 6th Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games in Bangkok, Thailand next year.
Another Cordilleran, April Joy La Madrid, dominated in the 63.5 kilogram division as the Muay Thai national team stomped its class in the event. Two other national team members won gold in Mary Glyde Elizabeth Salazar (48 kg) and Allysa Kylie Mallari (60 kg).
Team Bagsik’s Floryvic Montero, however, failed to make it a sweep for the national team as she lost to 2021 SEAG bronze medalist Rudzma Abubakr in the 48 kg division.
The other winners in muay are: Romarah Derrica Cerezo (54kg) of Bootcamp Muaythai, Claire De Guzman (57kg) of PAF Veterans, Ronelyn Tondag (-45kg) of Malabonian Ninjas and Baby Jane Buzon (45kg) of PAF Veterans.
Meanwhile, in combat sambo at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medalist for wushu sanda Mariane Mariano topped Jomary Torres to secure the under 54kg title while Geli Bulaong claimed the under 59kg diadem by beating Charina Margallo.
On the other hand, Princess Cortez (under 54kg) and Aislinin Agnes Yap (under 80kg) were the top finishers in sport sambo after downing Amber Arcilla and Lea Loren Quimba, respectively.
Two Cordillerans, who won silver medals in the 2021 SEA Games, Helen Aclopen and Charmea Quelino, were forces to reckon with after topping the women’s -52 and -63 kg classes in the Kurash competition at the PSC Judo Gym in RMSC.
Mikeighla Louise de Vera, a third generation member of the Dino clan in Baguio, failed to win the gold when she fell to Sophie Nicole Novino in the women’s -44 kg. divison after the latter secured an ippon win. Princess Maurine Villafranca settled for bronze medals. Pigeon Lobien
