Sophia Nicole Divino secured a spot in the Youth women's -47-kilogram division finals, and three other Filipino athletes each claimed a bronze medal, giving the host nation a strong start at the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships. The event, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, is being held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Divino's Path to the Finals
In her first year competing in the Russian martial art, Divino defeated opponents from Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan in impressive fashion to reach the final of her weight class. The tournament is organized by the Philippine Sambo Federation, Inc.
“I am so happy because my only goal was to play my best,” said Divino, a 17-year-old Grade 11 student at the University of the East. “I did not expect to reach the finals, so I will try to finish what I started well.” She was scheduled to face a Kazakhstani opponent for the gold medal.
Bronze Medalists
Jennelyn Tuñacao, Maria Tess Polistico, and Princess Love Boyore each contributed bronze medals for the Philippines. Tuñacao competed in the -72kg category, Polistico in -59kg, and Boyore in the 54kg weight class. The championships are held under the auspices of the National Sports Tourism Interagency Committee, led by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.
Background and Experience
A varsity judo player at UE, Divino explained her attraction to sambo: “It was a good opportunity given to me. It is not far from judo, so I continued with sambo.” She highlighted her potential by revealing she won a gold medal in the -55kg category against a boy from Singapore in a competition held in the city-state last May. “I said, it's okay to have an opponent so my trip to Singapore would not be wasted,” she recalled with a smile.
Coaches' and Athletes' Reactions
Tuñacao, also a UE teammate of Divino, was pleased with her bronze in her first major international tournament, though she believed she could have performed better. “I feel I could have given more to my opponent,” said the stocky campaigner, who was forced to tap out against a Kazakhstani foe.
National sambo team coach Ace Larida commented, “This is a good beginning for us in this tournament because the Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships is a tough competition and next only to the worlds. We can only look forward to doing better once we start competing in the senior division.”
