Defending champions Sydney Sy Tancontian and Princess Cortez will spearhead the nine-member Philippine Sambo team as they compete at the Korea Open Sambo Championship at the Korea Sambo Center in Cheon-An, South Korea.
Tancontian, who will compete in the sport sambo female +80kg division, and Cortez, fighting in the -59kg category, are expected to deliver strong performances. They are joined by a formidable lineup, including World Beach Sambo Championship bronze medalist Jeniva Consigna (-69kg), and rising stars Mariah Lua (-72kg) and Grace Gangan (-80kg).
In the combat sambo category, AC Yap, who secured a silver medal in last year’s event, will return to compete in the female -80kg division. Joining her are Cambodia SEA Games gold medalist Robin Catalan (-64kg), his nephew Edemel Catalan (-58kg), and Jomary Torres, who will fight in the female -50kg class.
Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. (PSFI) President Paolo Tancontian expressed confidence that the national squad can surpass last year’s impressive haul of three gold medals.
He also emphasized the significance of the Korea Open as vital exposure for the athletes, as part of their preparation for the upcoming Sambo World Championships later this year.
