The top Philippine bet, Sydney Sy Tancontian is set to defend her title at the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships, which begins Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, as the country hosts one of the biggest sambo competitions for the first time.
Currently ranked No. 1 in the world in the women’s +80-kilogram sport sambo division, Sy enters the continental showcase as one of the Philippines’ strongest medal hopes.
The event, held under the aegis of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, is expected to feature more than 500 athletes from 31 member countries under the Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania, making it a major test for the country’s representatives.
For Sy, the focus is now fully on competition after a challenging period involving her father, Pilipinas Sambo Federation president Paolo Tancontian, who recently dealt with health concerns.
With his condition improving, the 27-year-old athlete can now shift her attention toward the tournament ahead.
“Thank God, my father’s health has greatly improved and is now addressing the details of the tournament so I can now focus on taking part in the competition,” Sy said.
Sy enters the event with confidence after capturing the women’s heavyweight sport sambo gold medal in last year’s 10th edition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She defeated Mongolia’s Buyanzaya Ser-Ochir to claim the championship and establish herself as one of Asia-Oceania’s top competitors.
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Manila is ready. The Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships and Youth & Junior Championships kick off on June 25.
We’ve put together a quick guidebook with everything you need: the schedule, disciplines, and weight categories – all in one place. pic.twitter.com/oXjjBeNi4U
— SAMBO FIAS (@SAMBOFIAS) June 22, 2026
Her previous triumph was part of a strong showing by the Philippine team, with Aislynn Yap also winning gold in the demanding women’s -80kg combat sambo division.
Now competing in front of a home audience, Sy hopes to use the support around her as an advantage while carrying the expectations of Philippine sambo.
Her father believes having the reigning champion in the lineup will provide a major boost not only for Sy but for the entire national team.
“Malaking bagay na makakalaro ang aking anak na si Sydney sa Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships. Malaking inspirasyon siya sa national team at sa bayan. Kapag nandiyan siya, iba talaga ang kumpiyansa ng atleta natin,” Tancontian said.
The father of Sydney also sees the home tournament as a valuable opportunity for his daughter to showcase her skills against the best athletes in the region.
“It’s a big opportunity for my daughter to be competing in the event, this will be a major inspiration for the athletes and for the country,” Tancontian said.
Beyond Sy’s title defense, the event represents a historic moment for Philippine sambo as Manila becomes the first host in history of the premier SAMBO championships in the Asia-Oceania region.
Running from June 25 to 28, the tournament gives local athletes a rare chance to compete on home soil — with Sy leading the charge as the face of the country’s medal campaign.
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