Sambo National Training Pool Dominates 2026 Araw ng Dabaw National Open Championships
The Sambo National Training Pool (SNTP) showcased its elite status by securing a commanding victory at the 2026 Araw ng Dabaw Sambo National Open Championships. Held on March 17 at the Sta. Ana National High School covered court in Davao City, the event featured intense competitions in both Sport Sambo and Combat Sambo disciplines. The SNTP amassed an impressive total of 12 gold medals and 2 silver medals, underscoring its supremacy across various age groups and weight classes.
De La Salle Sambo Team and Other Clubs Shine in Competitive Field
Following the SNTP's dominant performance, the De La Salle Sambo Team claimed second place overall with a strong showing of six golds, two silvers, and four bronzes. Primo Martial Arts secured third place, accumulating five golds, 12 silvers, and 15 bronzes. The tournament highlighted the growing competitiveness of sambo in the Philippines, with multiple clubs contributing to a highly contested event.
Notable performances from the SNTP included gold medals from athletes such as Faiza Jennina Asilum in adult women -50kg, Jomary Torres in adult women -54kg, and Jason Palmes in both youth men -46kg and adult men -58kg categories. In Combat Sambo, Marwin Quirante delivered the team's lone gold medal in the adult men -58kg division.
Coach and Athlete Insights on Development and Upcoming Events
Dabawenya world-class sambo athlete Sydney Tancontian, one of the tournament organizers, expressed pride in the athletes' hard work and performance. "We aimed to show the hard work our athletes have put in, and I'm proud of their performance," Tancontian said. She emphasized the event's role in discovering youth talent, noting that about five or six young athletes demonstrated potential for the upcoming 2026 Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships.
Lloyd Anthony Abucayan, head coach of Primo Martial Arts, celebrated his 31st birthday by winning two gold medals in the +88 kg division of both Sport Sambo and Combat Sambo. "I felt a little pressure because I have lots of athletes, 36 players, and I'm their head coach," Abucayan shared. "I want my students to see me compete, and by God's grace, I won." A former Greco-Roman wrestling athlete and professional MMA fighter, Abucayan balances his athletic career with academics as a college professor and doctoral candidate, while coaching 36 athletes.
Wider Participation and Impact on Philippine Sambo
The host Sta. Ana Sambo Team made a strong showing with five golds, six silvers, and one bronze, while the Gentle Warrior Sambo Team followed with four golds, five silvers, and five bronzes. Other clubs like Python's Pit, Barangay Leon Garcia, and Davao Masters Sambo Team also contributed medals, reflecting the sport's expanding reach.
As part of the 89th Araw ng Dabaw sports festival, this national tournament brought together athletes from across the country, highlighting the continued rise of sambo in the Philippines. The event not only celebrated current achievements but also served as a crucial platform for nurturing the next generation of athletes, with local tournaments playing a key role in talent discovery and development for international competitions.
