Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 17) – Nine Filipino muay thai fighters aim to strike for the gold in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next month.
Muay Thai Association of the Philippines secretary-general Pearl Managuelod told CNN Philippines the national team is on a training bubble in Benguet State University and has high spirits of surpassing its medal harvest in 2019 of three golds, four silvers, and two bronzes.
2019 SEA Games gold medalists Phillip Delarmino (57kg) and Ariel Lampacan (54kg) banner the Filipino muay thai fighters competing in Hanoi from May 17-22.
Delarmino ruled the -57kg male category of the 2021 IFMA World Championships held last December in Phuket, Thailand. His achievement earned him a qualification for the 2022 World Games in July in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Delarmino and Lampacan will be joined by 2019 SEA Games silver medalists Ryan Jakiri (63.5kg) and Islay Erika Bomogao (waikru).
The other members of the Philippine muay thai team are model and fitness coach Mario Lumba (81kg), former ONE Championship campaigner Fritz Biagtan (60kg), Rhichein Yosorez (waikru), April Joy La Madrid (60kg), and Rudzma Abubakar (48kg).
Managuelod said Leeana Bade – the other Filipino muay thai fighter who qualified in the 2022 World Games – will not make it to Vietnam.
“She couldn’t get her papers in time for SEA Games,” Managuelod added.
Rising ONE Championship women’s atomweight standout Jenelyn Olsim is one of the proud products of the Philippine muay thai team, where she first made waves after copping the silver in the 54kg division in the 2019 SEA Games held at Subic Bay.
