World No. 1 Aislinn Agnes Yap secured the Philippines' third gold medal on June 28, 2026, as the country concluded its hosting of the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Yap defeated Zamzagul Faizollanova of Kazakhstan with a pin-down midway through the match, earning a 1-0 decision to retain her women's -80kg combat sambo title. The victory was upheld after a protest by the Kazakh team was reviewed by technical officials.
Torres and Cortez also strike gold
Jomary Torres, ranked No. 7 globally, needed only seconds to win the women's 50kg combat sambo title. She landed a right roundhouse kick to the head of Kazakhstan's Zhadyra Paiyz, prompting the referee to stop the fight and award Torres an 8-0 victory. Torres, a native of Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, said, "Coach Jerry Legaspi told me to punch, but my opponent was shorter, so I tried. And I made the hit."
Princess Aumagel Cortez followed with an emphatic 9-2 triumph over Mervet Berdhinakova of Kazakhstan in the women's 59kg combat sambo class. Cortez celebrated by draping the Philippine flag over her shoulders.
Sy falls to familiar rival
The Philippines' gold rush was tempered by a 0-6 loss in the women's +80kg combat sambo event. 2025 champion and world No. 1 Sydney Sy was defeated by Kazakhstan's Arailym Abenova, a former world champion and familiar rival. Sy, who joined the competition at the last minute due to caring for her sick father, said tearfully, "I really, really wanted to win, but it was not my day. But I am proud of how the national team performed because we won three golds and saw how our sport practically grew from nothing."
Other medalists and overall finish
Jasmaine Henryk Ching, a national team newcomer, won silver in women's -54kg sport sambo after losing by submission to Kazakhstan's Gulo Almukhanbetova. Sophia Nicole Novino (47kg youth) and Christi Angelic Espolong (59kg juniors combat) also claimed silver. The Philippines took eight bronze medals from youth division's Princess Love Boyore (54kg), Maria Tessa Polistico (59kg), Jennelyn Tunacao (72kg); juniors combat's Johann Matthew San Miguel (58kg), Daniel Justin Vitudazo (88kg), Julian Henry Flores (98kg); adult sport's Jeniva Consigna (59kg); and adult combat's Godwin Langbayan (64kg). The country finished fifth overall among 22 nations.
National team head coach Ace Larida praised Torres, the oldest team member at 30, saying, "She is the complete package and deserves that victory." PSFI chief Paolo Tancontian expressed satisfaction with the event's organization and the team's performance, stating, "We proved once again we are among Asia and the world's best. I am very happy with the outcome." He added, "Now that we've hosted the Asia-Oceania Championships, our next goal is the worlds."
