The Philippine Sambo Team began its 2024 campaign with an outstanding performance at the 2024 Dutch SAMBO Open in Dalfsen, The Netherlands, seizing three golds, a silver and a bronze medal.
Leading the charge was Sydney Sy-Tancontian, a bronze medalist at the World Sambo Championships and the chairperson of the FIAS Athletes’ Commission as she displayed world-class skills in clinching the gold in the Women’s +80 kg Senior category.
Sustaining the family’s success, Sydney’s brother, Chino Sy-Tancontian, and national team head coach Ace Larida claimed gold in their respective categories in the Men’s +98 kg Senior and Men’s -88 kg Masters, respectively.
Adding to the impressive medal haul, Pilipinas Sambo president Paolo Tancontian made a productive return to the competitive mat with a silver finish in the Men’s -98 kg Masters division.
Paolo last competed internationally in the 2001 Arafura Games in Australia.
Aislinn Yap, an emerging talent in Sambo, rounded off the Philippines’ triumphant campaign with a bronze in the Women’s -80 kg Senior division, showcasing the depth of talent within the PH Sambo Team.
The team’s stellar performance “underscores their dedication, skill, and the Philippines’ growing presence in the global sambo arena,” according to Paolo Tancontian.
“These achievements are a testament to the hard work and commitment of the athletes, coaches, and the leadership in Philippine sambo,” he added.
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