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Category: Pinoy Sports Pulse

  • Philippine Dragon Boat Teams shine in Hong Kong Festival as paddlers deliver podium finishes 

    Philippine Dragon Boat Teams shine in Hong Kong Festival as paddlers deliver podium finishes 

    The Philippines made waves on the international dragon boat stage as two local teams delivered strong performances at the 50th Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival, proving their competitiveness against some of the world’s best paddling clubs.


    The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), one of the country’s most established teams, secured a podium finish in the International Women’s Championship after clocking 2:22.185 in the first round and improving to 2:21.274 in the second round to claim second place overall.

     

    The result extended PDBF’s impressive run in the prestigious competition, marking their third consecutive podium finish in Hong Kong. 

     

    While another gold medal remained out of reach, the Filipina paddlers celebrated the opportunity to represent the country in one of Asia’s most competitive dragon boat events.

     

    PDBF also competed in the International Women’s Grand Championship, finishing fourth in Heat 1 after registering 2:25.553. In the finals, the team improved its time to 2:15.641 but ended up sixth overall.

     

    Adding to the Philippine presence was the Alliance of Masters Dragonboat Club, which made its international debut after previously competing only in domestic events. 

     

    The team immediately showed its potential, finishing second in Heat 1 of the International Open Championship with a time of 2:00.036.

     

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    The Alliance of Masters continued its strong showing in the semifinals, placing third with a time of 2:00.488. 

     

    The squad eventually finished ninth in the finals after clocking 2:03.601, gaining valuable experience against a field of international competitors.

     

    The club also competed in the International Mixed Grand Championship and the Sun Life International Open Grand Championship, although it missed out on podium finishes in both categories.

     

    For skipper Azaak Diancin, the tournament was a memorable milestone as he experienced the intensity of international competition for the first time.

     

    “Since this is my first international race, very exciting and masaya po ‘yung experience given nga po na this is my my first time competing at such a high-level sport,” Alliance of Masters Dragonboat Club skipper Azaak Diancin said.

     

    Held at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the 50th Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival expanded beyond its traditional weekend format into a 13-day celebration running from June 19 to July 1. 

     

    The event served as more than a racing competition, combining high-level dragon boat action with cultural activities and attractions as part of Hong Kong Summer Fun.

     

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  • EJ Obiena breaks through with first outdoor gold of the 2026 season in Poland 

    EJ Obiena breaks through with first outdoor gold of the 2026 season in Poland 

    After weeks of chasing the breakthrough that had eluded him, Filipino pole vault ace EJ Obiena finally found his winning form, capturing his first outdoor title of the 2025 season at the Czeslaw Cybulski Memorial in Poznan, Poland on Monday, June 29.


    The two-time Olympian delivered a composed performance, clearing 5.72 meters to top the field and return to the top step of the podium after a string of frustrating results on the European circuit.

     

    Obiena finished ahead of Great Britain’s Owen Heard, who settled for silver after clearing 5.60m, while Italy’s Matteo Oliveri claimed the bronze medal with the same height but lost the tiebreak on countback after requiring more attempts.

     

    The Filipino strategically entered the competition at 5.40m after passing on the opening height of 5.25m, clearing it on his first attempt. 

     

    He then needed two tries to get over 5.60m before opting to skip 5.67m altogether and successfully clearing 5.72m on his second attempt—a height that ultimately secured the gold medal.

     

    Still seeking to improve his mark, Obiena raised the bar to 5.77m but was unable to clear it. 

     

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    He then gambled on 5.82m, where three unsuccessful attempts ended his campaign. By then, however, none of his rivals had matched his winning clearance of 5.72m.

     

    The victory marked a significant turnaround for the 29-year-old, whose outdoor campaign had been filled with near misses despite consistently competing against some of the world’s top vaulters. 

     

    It was his second podium finish of the season after taking silver at the Flight Circus meet in Düsseldorf, Germany earlier this month.

     

    More importantly, the triumph halted a difficult run that saw Obiena finish eighth at the Diamond League stop in Doha, Qatar on June 19 after managing only 5.42m. 

     

    He also narrowly missed another podium with a fourth-place finish at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands, making his success in Poznan a timely confidence boost as he continues his preparations for the major championships later this season.

     

    The victory also comes at an important stage of the outdoor campaign, with several high-profile meets still on the calendar before the season’s major championships. 

     

     

    Building confidence through strong performances will be crucial for Obiena as he aims to improve his world ranking and sustain his form heading into the latter half of the year, where every competition offers valuable points and experience against elite opposition. 

     

     

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  • New York Times includes No. 29 seed Alex Eala among Wimbledon’s breakout contenders 

    New York Times includes No. 29 seed Alex Eala among Wimbledon’s breakout contenders 

    After years of climbing through the ranks, the Filipina tennis star enters this year’s Championships carrying not only a career-high seeding but also growing international recognition, with The New York Times identifying her as one of the tournament’s top dark horse contenders.


    In its pre-tournament rankings, the publication included Eala among 15 players—a mix of title favorites, former champions, and dangerous outsiders capable of making a deep run at what is widely regarded as tennis’ toughest Grand Slam.

     

    The list features established stars such as Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, Amanda Anisimova, Emma Raducanu, Donna Vekic, and Barbora Krejcíkova, while Serena Williams, who is making a return to competition at age 44, is projected to attract the biggest spotlight.

     

    For Eala, the recognition underscores how dramatically her status has changed over the past two years.

     

    The 21-year-old has already become the first Filipino player to earn a seed at a Grand Slam, entering Wimbledon as the tournament’s 29th seed despite having a professional résumé that remains shorter than many of the players in the 128-player main draw.

     

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    Her rise has been anything but straightforward. Only two years ago, Eala was still fighting for a place in the Wimbledon main draw. In 2024, she fell one match short after losing in the final round of qualifying.

     

    This season has also featured its share of setbacks, but those defeats have been balanced by some of the biggest victories of her career.

     

    Earlier this month, Eala captured the Birmingham Open, a WTA 125 event, for her second career professional title and her first championship on grass.

     

    She followed that breakthrough by reaching the Berlin Open semifinals before exiting in the opening round of Bad Homburg, giving her valuable momentum ahead of Wimbledon.

     

    The New York Times believes Eala’s style is particularly suited for grass courts.

     

    “For one, Eala is a lefty. A slice serve in the ad court off a lefty’s racket can be very unpleasant to manage. She is very aggressive against weak serves, which can become invitations to tee off on grass. And she also possesses a kind of fearlessness that allows her to lose points and games while still believing she can finish the match on top. That’s helpful anywhere, but especially on grass, where matches can be messy and everyone makes errors.”

     

    Eala opens her Wimbledon campaign against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, who owns a 1-0 head-to-head advantage after defeating the Filipina two years ago, when Eala was just 19 years old and still establishing herself on tour.

     

    Eala enters the tournament ranked World No. 30, while Zarazua sits at No. 75, giving the Filipina a chance to even their rivalry and advance to the next round.

     

    A victory could also set up one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.

     

    Should Eala defeat Zarazua and Serena Williams overcome Maya Joint, the Filipina would face the seven-time Wimbledon champion and 23-time Grand Slam winner in the Round of 64—a blockbuster matchup that would pit one of the sport’s brightest rising stars against one of its greatest icons returning from retirement.

     

    Eala’s campaign will not be limited to singles competition as she also entered in the women’s doubles draw alongside Nikola Bartunkova, where the pair faces a stern opening test against experienced Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Sofia Kenin.

     

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  • Venus Williams praises Alex Eala, hopes to team up with the Filipina again in the future

    Venus Williams praises Alex Eala, hopes to team up with the Filipina again in the future

    Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala continues to reach new milestones in her rapidly rising career, adding another memorable chapter after partnering seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams in the doubles competition of the 2026 Bad Homburg Open in Germany.

     

    Widely regarded as the face of Philippine tennis and one of Asia’s brightest young stars, Eala has steadily elevated her profile on the international stage through a series of impressive performances over the past few seasons. At just 23 years old, the Filipina has already established herself among the country’s greatest tennis talents, with her latest appearance alongside one of the sport’s all-time legends serving as another testament to her growing reputation.

     

    The partnership between Eala and Williams generated significant excitement throughout the tournament. Fans packed the stands to witness the unlikely pairing, with the 46-year-old American icon bringing decades of championship experience while Eala represented the next generation of women’s tennis.

     

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    Despite having never played together before the tournament, the duo quickly developed chemistry and advanced to the quarterfinals before their campaign came to an end. They were defeated by Slovakia’s Tereza Mihalikova and Great Britain’s Olivia Nicholls in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, on Thursday, June 25.

     

    Although their run ended in the last eight, both players viewed the experience as a positive one, particularly given the limited preparation they had before taking the court together.

     

    Williams, one of the most decorated players in tennis history with seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles championships, spoke highly of Eala during her post-match press conference, praising both the young Filipina and her family while expressing hope that the pair can reunite in future tournaments.

     

    “She’s great! Her parents are great. I got to meet them too. Overall, they seem to be very nice humans, which helps you be better tennis players, I think. She’s very competitive on the court. I think we were a great team – we just needed a little more time together. We never even got the chance to practice before we played the doubles. I hope we get the chance to team back up again,” Williams said during a press conference.

    The comments from Williams represent another significant endorsement for Eala, whose maturity, professionalism, and competitive spirit have consistently drawn praise from some of the biggest names in international tennis. Sharing the court with one of the sport’s greatest champions provided the Filipina with invaluable experience as she continues her development on the WTA Tour.

     

    Eala was equally appreciative of the opportunity to compete alongside one of her childhood idols, taking to social media after the tournament to express her gratitude.

     

    “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would have the privilege of competing alongside you on court, Venus Williams! Immensely grateful to learn from you. The best ride, the best tournament. The best partner!”

     

    The heartfelt message reflected what the partnership meant for Eala, who has long admired Williams’ accomplishments and influence on women’s tennis. Beyond the results, the tournament offered the Filipina a unique opportunity to learn from one of the most accomplished competitors the sport has ever produced.

     

    The experience also serves as valuable preparation for what promises to be another landmark moment in Eala’s career. The Filipina is set to make her highly anticipated Wimbledon main-draw debut on Tuesday, June 30, where she will face Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in the opening round of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament.

     

    A strong performance at Wimbledon would represent another significant breakthrough for Eala as she continues to establish herself among the world’s rising stars. Her appearance at the All England Club comes after months of steady progress on the professional circuit, further reinforcing her status as one of the brightest young talents in international tennis.

     

    Meanwhile, Williams’ return to competitive tennis remains one of the major storylines of the season. The American legend is set to reunite with her younger sister, Serena Williams, in a historic doubles partnership that has generated tremendous anticipation among tennis fans around the world.

     

    While their Bad Homburg campaign ended earlier than hoped, the partnership between Eala and Venus Williams left a lasting impression, demonstrating the Filipina’s growing stature within the sport and offering a glimpse of the bright future that continues to unfold for Philippine tennis.

     

     

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  • 27 UAAP, NCAA stars take center stage at 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night 

    27 UAAP, NCAA stars take center stage at 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night 

    Now on its fourth year under the unified Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) banner, the annual awards night continues its tradition of celebrating the country’s finest collegiate athletes following the 2022 merger of the UAAP and NCAA media organizations.


    The 2026 Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Annual Awards Night will once again put the spotlight on the brightest stars from the nation’s top collegiate leagues on Monday, June 29, at Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig City.

     

    A total of 27 student-athletes from the UAAP and NCAA will be recognized for their standout performances throughout the recently concluded seasons, celebrating the best individual efforts that shaped another memorable year of collegiate competition.

     

    Leading the list of honorees are Mike Phillips and Kent Pastrana, who were named the CPC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Players of the Year after guiding De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas back to the top of UAAP basketball.

     

    Phillips added another milestone to his decorated collegiate career after helping La Salle capture its second UAAP championship under his watch. The veteran forward now owns two UAAP titles and one Finals MVP award, while also earning a spot in the CPC Men’s Basketball Mythical Team.

    This marks Phillips’ second Mythical Team recognition and his first CPC Basketball Player of the Year award.

     

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    Joining Phillips in the Men’s Basketball Mythical Team are UAAP MVP Janrey Pasaol of Far Eastern University, NCAA Season 101 champion Janti Miller of San Beda University, Letran guard Titing Manalili, and University of Santo Tomas big man Collins Akowe.

     

    Pastrana, meanwhile, headlines the CPC UAAP Women’s Basketball Mythical Team after playing a key role in UST’s title-winning campaign. She is joined by teammate Brigette Santos, National University’s Ann Pingol and Tin Cayabyab, and Ateneo de Manila University’s Kacey Dela Rosa.

     

    Dela Rosa will also receive a special citation after helping Gilas Pilipinas secure SEA Games gold medals in both the 5-on-5 and 3×3 basketball events last December, while contributing to the country’s qualification bid for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

     

    The volleyball court also produced this year’s biggest standouts as La Salle senior Angel Canino was named the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, while Lara Mae Silva of Letran earned NCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year honors after becoming a key figure in the Lady Knights’ historic championship run—their first title in 28 years.

     

    In men’s volleyball, Leo Ordiales of six-time UAAP champion National University and Reymark Betco of NCAA Season 101 champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde were recognized as the Men’s Volleyball Players of the Year.

     

    Football also continued to earn its place in the annual celebration, with Marc Pellejo of San Beda University and Ramil Bation III of the University of the Philippines winning the NCAA and UAAP Men’s Football Player of the Year awards after leading their teams to championships.

     

    Far Eastern University’s Regine Rebosura was also honored as the UAAP Women’s Football Player of the Year, with support from the Philippine Sports Commission.

     

    The CPC will also recognize the coaches who guided these championship teams.

     

    La Salle’s Topex Robinson and San Beda’s Yuri Escueta were named the UAAP and NCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches of the Year, while UST mentor Haydee Ong earned the UAAP Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year award.

     

    Longtime La Salle volleyball coach Ramil de Jesus received the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year honor, while Letran’s Mayeth Carolino was chosen as the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year.

     

    National University’s title-winning volleyball run also earned recognition for coach Dante Alinsunurin, while Arnold Laniog was honored after guiding his alma mater to the NCAA Season 101 men’s volleyball championship.

     

    Beyond the trophies and individual awards, the event highlights the athletes who carried their schools, inspired their communities, and continue to shape the future of Philippine sports.

     

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  • Filipino-American MMA veteran Mark Striegl lauds sambo development in Philippines

    Filipino-American MMA veteran Mark Striegl lauds sambo development in Philippines

    Filipino-American MMA veteran and accomplished sambist Mark Striegl has further cemented his reputation as one of the Philippines’ most accomplished combat sports athletes, not only through his competitive achievements but also through his continued advocacy for grassroots development in martial arts.

     

    Striegl recently expressed strong support for the Philippines’ growing commitment to developing Sambo at the youth level, highlighting the country’s successful hosting of the 2026 Asian and Sambo Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila. The event brought together athletes from across the continent and showcased the rapid growth of the sport in Southeast Asia, with the Philippines emerging as an increasingly active hub for development.

     

    A two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, Striegl was particularly encouraged by the strong participation of young athletes across multiple divisions, viewing it as a clear indicator that the sport is building a sustainable future in the country.

     

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    “It’s great, just seeing the grassroots development. Sports are all about building character. I found myself in sports. I started wrestling when I was seven years old. Seeing the grassroots program here in the Philippines, especially in Sambo, it is fantastic. Seeing the youth divisions yesterday, and seeing all the divisions. Such young athletes and such skilled athletes. It’s fantastic,” Striegl said in a media interaction.

     

    Striegl emphasized that early exposure to structured sports programs plays a crucial role in shaping not only athletes but well-rounded individuals. For him, martial arts served as a foundation for discipline, resilience, and personal growth—values he believes are essential in both competitive sport and everyday life.

    The 38-year-old veteran brings a wealth of international experience to his perspective. Throughout his career, Striegl has competed across multiple elite organizations, including ONE Championship, the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has also represented the Philippines in the global reality competition series Netflix’s “Physical: Asia,” further showcasing his versatility as a high-level combat sports athlete.

     

    Having trained and competed in various disciplines—including wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Sambo—Striegl is well-positioned to understand the importance of structured youth development systems. He believes that early involvement in sport can shape long-term habits that extend beyond competition.

     

    “I have done so many different combat arts. Sports really builds character. You will learn to endure, be hardworking, resilient, and disciplined. I remember dieting when I was wrestling when I was 10 years old. Learning discipline at such a young age was great for me to develop as a person. Sports is important. It is so great to see events like this with so many young athletes,” he added.

     

    Striegl’s comments come at a time when combat sports in the Philippines continue to grow in popularity, with increased institutional support and more frequent international events being hosted locally. The staging of the Asian and Sambo Championships in Manila is seen as another step forward in strengthening the country’s position in the regional martial arts landscape.

     

    Beyond competition, Striegl has increasingly positioned himself as a voice for athlete development and sports education, particularly in encouraging youth participation. His perspective reflects a broader belief that success in combat sports is built not only in professional gyms or international arenas, but also in grassroots programs where foundational skills and discipline are first introduced.

     

    As Sambo continues to gain traction in the Philippines, Striegl’s endorsement adds further credibility to its development efforts. With growing participation and rising interest among young athletes, stakeholders hope that events like the 2026 Asian and Sambo Championships will serve as a catalyst for long-term growth and international competitiveness.

     

    For Striegl, however, the most meaningful outcome remains clear: the opportunity to inspire the next generation of Filipino martial artists to pursue sport not only as competition, but as a lifelong foundation for character and discipline.

     

     

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  • Philippine team delivers three golds, improves medal haul at Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships 

    Philippine team delivers three golds, improves medal haul at Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships 

    The Philippines achieved its best showing yet at the Asian and Oceania Sambo Championships after improving on last year’s gold-medal haul and finishing fifth overall in the 2026 edition held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.


    Backed by home support, the national team closed the tournament with three gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals, surpassing the two-gold performance it delivered in the previous championships. The result placed the host nation fifth overall among the 22 participating countries in the tournament organized by the Pilipinas Sambo Federation, Inc.

     

    The country’s breakthrough began on Saturday when Jomary Torres and Princess Aumagel Cortez delivered back-to-back gold medals in the women’s combat sambo division.

     

    Torres wasted little time asserting her dominance in the women’s -50kg final, overwhelming Kazakhstan’s Zhadyra Paiyz in just 17 seconds—one of the fastest victories recorded during the tournament—to secure the championship.

     

    While simply reaching the podium would have been enough for some, Torres admitted she entered the tournament with only one goal in mind.

     

    The momentum continued moments later as Cortez defeated Kazakhstan’s Mervet Berdikhanova, 9-2, in the women’s -59kg combat sambo final.

     

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    Cortez dictated the match from the opening exchange, building a comfortable advantage before successfully fending off Berdikhanova’s late armbar attempt to preserve the seven-point victory.

     

    The Philippines completed its golden campaign on Sunday through reigning champion Aislinn Yap, who successfully defended her women’s -80kg combat sambo crown with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan’s Zamzagul Faizollanova.

     

    Yap secured the lone point of the match with a well-executed takedown midway through the contest against the five-time Kazakhstan national champion. Although Faizollanova’s corner challenged the scoring, tournament officials upheld the call after a video review, allowing Yap to retain her title.

     

    The host nation also collected three silver medals across different divisions as defending women’s +80kg combat sambo champion Sydney Sy settled for silver after falling 6-0 to former world champion Arailym Abenova of Kazakhstan in a rematch between familiar rivals.

     

    National team newcomer Jasmaine Henryk Ching also finished runner-up after losing by submission to Kazakhstan’s Gulo Almukhanbetova in the women’s -54kg sport sambo final.

     

    The Philippines’ silver haul was completed by Sophia Nicole Novino, who earned runner-up honors in the women’s youth -47kg division, and Christi Espolong, who likewise captured silver in the juniors combat -59kg category.

     

    Beyond the medal count, the tournament highlighted the continued rise of Philippine sambo, with established champions successfully defending their titles while emerging athletes delivered podium finishes against some of Asia and Oceania’s strongest competitors.

     

    By surpassing last year’s gold-medal total and finishing inside the top five of the overall standings, the Philippines leaves the 2026 Asian and Oceania Sambo Championships with renewed momentum as it continues building its presence on the international stage.

     

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  • Olympic medalist Aira Villegas eyes comeback after health setback ahead of 2026 Asian Games

    Olympic medalist Aira Villegas eyes comeback after health setback ahead of 2026 Asian Games

    Philippine boxing standout Aira Villegas continues to earn widespread respect following her impressive bronze-medal finish in her Olympic debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Her breakthrough performance marked one of the standout achievements for Team Philippines, solidifying her status as one of the country’s rising stars in elite boxing.

     

    However, the Olympic medalist has since been sidelined from competition as she deals with health concerns outside the ring. Villegas has been battling severe allergies that at one point became serious enough to require emergency medical attention, temporarily halting her training and competition schedule.

     

    “Na ER (emergency room) ako, nagsabay-sabay allergies ko,” Villegas said in a media interaction.

     

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    The 30-year-old boxer revealed that she has recently developed a new suspected allergy to mushrooms, although medical professionals are still in the process of confirming the exact cause. The recurring allergic reactions have significantly affected her availability for international competitions, including her absence from recent tournaments in Europe where she was originally scheduled to compete as part of Team Philippines’ overseas campaign.

     

    Despite the setback, Villegas remains focused on recovery and is determined to return to full competitive form ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan.

    She acknowledged that the situation has forced her to be more cautious moving forward, particularly as she prepares to resume training in Baguio City, a key high-altitude training hub for Philippine boxers.

     

    “I’m trying to fix everything so that I would know what to avoid when I get back to training in Baguio next month. I’m competing in the 51 kilogram from 50 kilogram. But I was told we will be having a training camp before the Asian Games. We still don’t know where, but we will have one for sure,” she added.

     

    Villegas also noted that the transition to a new weight class will be part of her long-term preparation strategy as she continues building strength and adjusting her conditioning program for future international competitions.

     

    Her coaching team and national boxing officials remain optimistic about her recovery timeline, emphasizing that her Olympic experience and proven resilience make her a strong candidate for future podium finishes despite recent health setbacks.

     

    As preparations continue for the Asian Games, Villegas is expected to gradually reintegrate into full training once her medical condition stabilizes, with the goal of regaining peak form in time for one of the biggest sporting events in Asia.

     

    For Team Philippines, her return will be a welcome boost as the boxing program looks to build on its strong Olympic showing and translate that momentum into success on the continental stage in Japan.

     

     

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  • Sophia Nicole Novino wins silver, three Filipinas grab bronze as PH Sambo shines in Asia-Oceania Championships 

    Sophia Nicole Novino wins silver, three Filipinas grab bronze as PH Sambo shines in Asia-Oceania Championships 

    A promising new face in Philippine sambo announced her arrival on the international stage as Sophia Nicole Novino fought her way to a silver medal finish at the opening of the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.


    The 17-year-old grappler reached the Youth Women’s -47-kilogram division final, putting together an impressive run before eventually falling to Kazakhstan’s Karakat Rakhybay in the championship bout via submission.

     

    Despite missing out on the gold medal, Novino viewed the result as a major step forward in her young career, describing the silver as something far more valuable than its color suggests.

    “It felt like I achieved a lot since I didn’t expect a lot here,” Novino said.

     

    Before reaching the finals, Novino displayed composure beyond her years by overcoming opponents from Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, securing victories that pushed her into the title match of one of Asia-Oceania’s biggest sambo competitions.

     

    The young Filipina’s performance also highlighted the growth of the country’s emerging sambo program, with the tournament serving as a major test for local athletes against some of the strongest competitors in the region.

     

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  • Philippine Women’s Beach Handball Team shocks Brazil, keeps World Championship dream alive

    Philippine Women’s Beach Handball Team shocks Brazil, keeps World Championship dream alive

    The world’s best beach handball teams have measured themselves against Brazil.

     

    On Wednesday in Croatia, it was the Philippines that handed the sport’s most decorated powerhouse one of its most stunning defeats.

     

    The Philippine Women’s Beach Handball Team produced the biggest victory in its history after upsetting three-time world champion Brazil in a thrilling main stage showdown at the 2026 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championships, proving that belief can sometimes outweigh pedigree.

     

    Few gave the Filipinas a realistic chance.

     

    Brazil entered the contest carrying its reputation as one of the sport’s dominant nations, boasting multiple world titles and decades of international success. The opening set only reinforced those expectations as the South Americans overwhelmed the Philippine side with their trademark pace and precision to cruise to a commanding 26-14 victory.

     

    What appeared destined to become a routine result quickly transformed into something unforgettable.

     

    Instead of fading, the Filipinas responded with their most composed performance of the tournament.

     

    They tightened their defensive rotations, began disrupting Brazil’s rhythm, and matched every attack with growing confidence. The momentum slowly shifted as the Philippines found answers against one of beach handball’s traditional giants.

     

    Every successful stop fueled another opportunity.

     

    Every converted attack chipped away at Brazil’s aura.

     

    By the closing moments of the second set, the underdogs had done the unthinkable, edging Brazil 23-22 to force the match into a winner-take-all shootout.

     

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    The pressure only seemed to sharpen the Filipinas.

     

    Facing one of the sport’s most accomplished programs, the Philippine squad calmly converted its attempts before sealing a dramatic 7-6 shootout victory, completing one of the biggest upsets the tournament has seen.

     

    The result dramatically changes the outlook of the Philippines’ campaign.

     

    The Filipinas entered the main stage after a challenging preliminary round in which they were awarded a win over Benin via default but suffered defeats against Argentina and Denmark, leaving them with little margin for error moving forward.

     

    Now, momentum is suddenly on their side.

     

    The victory over Brazil keeps the Philippines firmly in contention for a historic quarterfinal appearance, with crucial main stage matches against Greece and Norway still to come.

     

    A victory over either European opponent would secure the country’s first-ever place among the tournament’s final eight—a scenario that seemed highly unlikely before the stunning triumph over Brazil.

     

    More importantly, the win serves as another reminder that Philippine teams are becoming increasingly capable of challenging established powers on the world stage.

     

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