FILIPINA athlete Islay Erika Bomogao has claimed the top spot in the 45kg female elite category of the International Federation of Muay Amateur (IFMA), the sport’s official global governing body.
Earning precious points from her gold-medal victory at last year’s IFMA World Muaythai Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, Bomogao, a proud native of Benguet, soared to the No. 1 position with a cumulative 1,920 points, amassed from her performances in various international competitions.“This exceptional Filipina world champion has set the world stage ablaze, her brilliance inspiring countless athletes across the nation. Now crowned as the #1 ranked IFMA 45kg female elite athlete, Islay Erika Bomogao has set a new standard of excellence. Congratulations, Islay, on this monumental achievement! Your triumph fills our hearts with pride,” said the Muaythai Association of the Philippines on its official Facebook page.
Bomogao’s talents extend beyond combat as she also excels in the demonstration Wai Kru category, where she clinched a silver medal at the 2023 World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Thank you, Muaythai Association of the Philippines. Who knew the little nakmuay you drafted seven years ago would reach this point? Thank you for the years of trust, support, and love,” said Bomogao, who also won gold in her division at the Hanoi SEA Games in Vietnam.
Unfortunately, Muaythai was not included in Cambodia’s most recent SEA Games.
Trailing her in the world rankings is Hyunh Ha Huu Hieu of Vietnam, with 1,560 points, followed by Saudi Arabia’s Hattan Alsaif in third with 1,372 points, Alena Liashkevich (AIN) in fourth with 720 points, and Sweden’s Camiella Adanielsson in fifth with 640 points.
Completing the top 10 are Gameze Yaltsin of Turkey, Russian Soffia Istratova (AIN), Yuen Wia Chan of Hong Kong, Ayten Ozdemir of Turkey, and Mabroka Algendy of Egypt.
Joining the esteemed ranks of Phillip Delarmino, the Filipino athlete who secured gold in the 2021 edition of the IFMA Worlds, Bomogao becomes the first Filipina and only the second Filipino to claim a world title in the IFMA World Muaythai Championships.
Muaythai continues to push for recognition by the International Olympic Committee to become a regular Olympic sport, with a significant step being the IFMA Muaythai Exhibition Games held in Paris.
Two Filipino athletes, Kylie Mallari, and Rhichein Yosorez, were part of the World Muaythai Demo Team that showcased the art of Wai Kru and Mai Muay in France during the Paris Olympics.
