The Philippine national wrestling team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 United World Wrestling (UWW) Asian & Oceania Grappling Championships in Danang, Vietnam, capping off the tournament with a second-place finish in the overall medal standings behind regional powerhouse Kazakhstan.
Team Philippines showcased its growing strength in the sport by collecting an impressive haul of five gold medals, two silvers, and three bronze medals, highlighting the country’s continued rise on the continental stage against some of Asia and Oceania’s top grapplers.
Leading the charge for the national squad were Charlie Ratcliff, Travis Ratcliff, Abe Del Rosario, and Denzel Alipio, who each captured gold medals in their respective weight classes. Charlie Ratcliff ruled the men’s 56-kilogram division, Travis Ratcliff emerged victorious in the 62kg category, Del Rosario topped the 57kg division, while Alipio added another championship in the men’s 62kg class to bolster the Philippines’ medal tally.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT
However, the defining moment of the Philippine campaign belonged to teenage sensation Yani Alexii Lopez, whose remarkable triumph became one of the tournament’s biggest stories.
Typically competing in the women’s 44-kilogram division, Lopez accepted the daunting challenge of moving up three weight classes to the 57kg category—a significant leap that meant facing naturally bigger and stronger opponents. Despite the disadvantage in size and experience, the 16-year-old displayed remarkable composure, technical brilliance, and determination throughout the competition.
Her memorable run culminated in a tightly contested gold medal match against Malaysia’s Alison Mae Nicolson, where Lopez prevailed 2-1 to claim the continental title and complete one of the most inspiring performances of the championships.
The victory further cemented Lopez’s reputation as one of Philippine wrestling’s brightest young prospects, proving that skill, preparation, and resilience can overcome even the most difficult challenges.
#MSSports | Filipina Yani Alexii Lopez made another sampling of her grappling prowess under the most challenging circumstances, powering the Philippine team to a second-place finish in the 2026 United World Wrestling (UWW) Asian & Oceania Grappling Championships that took place… pic.twitter.com/ufRr2q7Wsc
— Manila Standard (@mnlstandardph) July 30, 2026
Following her gold medal victory, Lopez took to Facebook to express her gratitude to everyone who played a role in her remarkable achievement.
“I am thrilled to bring another continental gold medal home to the Philippines. Jumping up three divisions from 44 kg to 57 kg was an unexpected challenge, and I am blessed to take the top spot on the podium,” Lopez wrote.
The young grappler also thanked those who continuously supported her journey, particularly her family and coaches.
“Thank you to God for keeping me safe and for all His blessings. Thank you to my family, especially my parents, for your unwavering support. Thank you to chief Alvin Aguilar for your trust, for giving me the courage to compete three weight classes higher than mine, and for coaching me,” she added.
Lopez likewise acknowledged the invaluable role her training partners played in preparing her for the tournament.
“Thank you to my training partners at PSC for helping me work on my wrestling. Thank you to my training partners at Deftac HQ—especially the big boys—for partnering up with me and helping me train grappling efficiently. Thanks for being my gym brothers,” Lopez concluded.
Aside from its five gold medals, the Philippine team also celebrated podium finishes from Lucas Aguilar and Nathaniel Nama, who each captured silver medals after strong campaigns in the men’s 66kg and 63kg divisions, respectively.
Meanwhile, Alo Turingan (73kg), Lucian Salud (76kg), and Joaquin Marte (66kg) contributed bronze medals to round out another productive showing for Team Philippines.
The Philippines’ overall performance underscored the country’s continued progress in grappling, with both established competitors and emerging young talents making their presence felt on the international stage. The successful campaign also reflects the steady development of the national program and provides further momentum as Filipino grapplers continue preparing for future regional and world competitions.
Kazakhstan once again demonstrated its dominance in the tournament, finishing atop the overall standings with an overwhelming collection of 17 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and five bronze medals. Nevertheless, Team Philippines’ runner-up finish stands as another encouraging milestone for the country’s grappling program, with Lopez’s inspiring gold-medal run serving as the defining highlight of a memorable campaign in Vietnam.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.