Ovan Medallo and three other Filipino kick boxers emerged triumphant in the 2022 Asian Kickboxing Championships over the weekend at the Bangkok Youth Center in Thailand.
Medallo of Cebu City captured the country’s first gold medal in the Asian competition by ruling the senior men’s musical forms with weapons with 28.8 points. He beat Taiwanese bets Hsuan Wu Chi (27.8) and Chiu Ta-Ting (25.7)
Equally impressive was back-to-back Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jean Claude Saclag who carved out a 3-0 win over local bet Chaleamlap Santidongsakun in the men’s low kick -63.5 kg despite the hostile crowd.
Not to be denied were Renalyn Dacquel and double Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Gina Iniong Araos who both registered similar 3-0 wins over their respective rivals.
Dacquel outsmaster another hometown bet in Nitinat Plabplerng in the women’s low kick -48 kg while Araos overpowered Hsiao Hsin Chi of Chinese-Taipei.
“It’s a momentous week and I’m very, very proud of our fighters for bringing home gold medals,” said Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP) Secretary-General Wharton Chan who also thanked SKP President Senator Francis Tolentino for his all-out support.
“Thankful to our President and Senator Tol Tolentino for inspiring our kickboxers all the time.”
Aside from the four gold medals, the Philippine contingent composed of 14 kickboxers also bagged one silver and six bronze medals.
The Asian Championships is a qualifier to the world championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next year.
