SAMBO, a combat sport of Soviet origin, is growing by leaps and bounds in the Philippines, according to Pilipinas Sambo Federation president Paolo Tancontian.
The sambo chief takes pride in bringing the sport to new heights as the federation leader, especially when three of his national athletes displayed impressive throws and techniques in Sambo and brought home two golds and a bronze medal in Paris, France, host of the 2024 Olympics.
“In our early days, we were just a few (practitioners) but because of the growth of mixed martial arts, sumabay ang sambo at agad nakilala ang ating mga atleta dahil sa galing nila,” he said.
Just recently, 2019 Southeast Asian Games champion Chino Sy-Tancontian a nd 2023 Asian & Oceania SAMBO Championship bronze medalist Aislinn Agnes Yap topped their respective categories at the 2024 Grand Prix de Sambo de Paris, held at the Stade Charléty Salle Charpy Avenue Pierre de Coubertin in Paris.
The 23-year-old collegiate judo MVP, Sy-Tancontian, triumphed over hometown favorite Didier Biansomba of France in the men’s under-98kg category finals to secure the first gold medal for the Philippines.
This victory followed his impressive gold medal win at the 2024 Dutch Open in his favored Seniors Sport Sambo ring event last March at the Sports Hall ‘Trefkoele Plus’ in Dalfsen, Netherlands.
Just last April, the University of Santo Tomas student-athlete also pocketed two gold medals at the 2024 Philippine Judo Open in the men’s under-100kg and men’s open weight divisions.
The experience and knowledge gained from the training camp in Russia last month greatly benefited the University of Santo Tomas student-athlete, preparing him for the more challenging European samboists.
Multi-international medalist Yap continued her impressive winning streak by reigning in her favored women’s under-80kg Seniors Sport Sambo event, defeating Joannie Delbar of France with a score of 4-1.
This marks Yap’s second European competition, where she previously won a bronze medal at the 2024 Dutch Open. She also dominated the recently concluded 2024 Judo National Open last April, winning the women’s +78kg and women’s open weight divisions.
It was also time to shine for professional MMA fighter Mark Striegl , who bagged the bronze in the men’s 71kg battle.
Tancontian said he is planning to conduct more clinics and tournaments to be led by his pioneering champions.
“We are also hosting a beach sambo tournament to help make it more popular among students and young enthusiasts.”