For the first time, the Philippines is stepping onto the continental sambo stage not just as a competitor, but as a host nation.
More than 400 athletes from 22 countries have arrived in Manila for the 2026 Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships, turning the Ninoy Aquino Stadium into the center of one of the biggest martial arts events from June 25 to 28.
Beyond the medals at stake, local organizers see the tournament as an opportunity to showcase the country’s rapid rise in a sport where many rivals have decades of history behind them.
Leading that ambition is Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. (PSFI) President Paolo Tancontian, who hopes the home-court advantage can help the national team improve on its fourth-place overall finish from last year’s championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“Yun sana pinagdadasal namin. Sana malagpasan namin yung ating fourth place overall last year. So yun sana, sana hopefully, if God permits. Sana mas maraming gintong medalya ang mabigay natin sa bansa,” Tancontian said.
The federation chief highlighted how far Philippine sambo has come despite being relatively young compared to many of the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
“Imagine bago palang tayo dito sa larangan ng sambo, yung ating mga competitors ay like 80 years, 60 years, 50 years. Tayo ay sampung taon palang pero nakakapagsabay tayo,” he added.
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.
Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships 2026 – Manila. Philippines – Official Trailer pic.twitter.com/Tb0wKlxvE9
— SAMBO FIAS (@SAMBOFIAS) June 24, 2026
At the forefront of the Philippine campaign is Sydney Sy, currently ranked World No. 1, a five-time World Sambo Championships bronze medalist, and a three-time Asian champion.
Sy enters the tournament as the defending gold medalist in the women’s +80-kilogram sports sambo division after capturing the title during the 2025 edition in Uzbekistan. Her presence gives the host nation one of its strongest medal hopes heading into the competition.
“Sabi ko nga kay Sydney, pahinga ka. Kailangan magpa-condition para makuha niya, ma-defend niya yung kanyang champion (gold) sa Asia and Oceania,” Tancontian said of his daughter.
The federation has also opened opportunities for promising competitors from various regions, including Davao City and other parts of Mindanao, to gain valuable international exposure.
After meeting the team before the tournament, Tancontian expressed confidence in the athletes’ readiness and enthusiasm.
“They’re very excited. Na-feel ko talaga yung kanilang energy. And yun, ganado sila na makipag-compete ngayon sa Asia-Oceania. We have 21 [members of the] national team. And mayroon tayo mga hindi national team but they are also champions sa nationals. So itong mga athlete na ito, co-compete sa youth and juniors. And malaki din ang kanilang pag-asa na makauwi din na medal,” he said.
The level of competition is expected to be among the toughest in the region, with many world champions and elite international athletes participating because the tournament carries Class A ranking status.
“Actually, this is a rank tournament. This is a class A tournament. So mostly ang mag-compete dito yung mga world champion din. So, gusto ko ma-experience nila, makita nila ng ating mga kababayan kung gaanong kalakas, gaanong ka-intense itong sambo,” he said.
Medals will be contested across youth, junior, and senior divisions for both men and women. The youth category, featuring athletes aged 16 to 18, will compete exclusively in sports sambo. Junior athletes aged 18 to 20 and senior competitors aged 18 and above will battle in both sports sambo and combat sambo events.
Sports sambo matches will follow a repechage format, allowing athletes defeated by eventual finalists to remain in contention for bronze medals. Combat sambo, meanwhile, will use a direct knockout system.
The event has also received strong backing from Philippine sports officials. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio recently joined Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania Secretary General Suresh Gopi in inspecting the Ninoy Aquino Stadium ahead of the tournament.
For Tancontian, however, the significance of hosting extends beyond podium finishes. He believes bringing the championship to Philippine soil can inspire greater public interest in a sport that continues to gain momentum across the country.
“Isa sa mga reason bakit tayo nag-host para mapakita natin sa ating mga kababayan kung gaano kalakas ang ating mga atleta sa sambo,” he said.
As the country’s best sambo athletes prepare to test themselves against some of the world’s top competitors, the championship offers the Philippines a chance not only to chase medals but also to demonstrate how far its program has progressed in just a decade on the international stage.
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. 
Manila is ready. The Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships and Youth & Junior Championships kick off on June 25.