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Tag: Philippines

  • Stephen Loman ready for 2026 comeback after re-signing with BRAVE CF

    Stephen Loman ready for 2026 comeback after re-signing with BRAVE CF

    Stephen Loman has firmly established himself as one of the Philippines’ top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, earning recognition in both ONE Championship and the BRAVE Combat Federation.

     

    The 26-year-old fighter, who first rose to prominence with BRAVE CF, closed out 2025 on a high note by re-signing with the organization where he made his name. The return has Loman eager to get back to the sport he loves.

     

    “I am truly excited for 2026 because it guarantees that I will finally be back doing what I love. This opportunity gives me something to look forward to every single day,” Loman said in a media interaction.

     

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    Loman’s 2025 ended even more memorably on a personal front, as he married longtime partner Sheryl in an intimate ceremony in Baguio City on December 20. A honeymoon will have to wait, however, as Loman immediately returned to training at the Landslide Martial Arts Training Center to focus on his career.

    “I am thankful that I got to end 2025 on such a hopeful note. After everything I went through, this feels like a blessing I will always cherish. My wife understands the demands of my career, and I am grateful for her support. She has been very patient and encouraging, and that means everything to me,” he added.

     

    Loman also holds the distinction of being the first Filipino fighter to win a world championship title in BRAVE CF and is the longest-reigning bantamweight world champion in the promotion’s history.

     

    Looking ahead, Loman is determined to reclaim his position at the top of the bantamweight division and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

     

    “I am so eager to maximize every opportunity in 2026. I am ready to work, to compete, and to show that I still belong at the top,” he concluded.

     

    With his focus, determination, and a renewed contract with BRAVE CF, 2026 promises to be a defining year for Stephen Loman. Fans can expect a fighter at the peak of his skills, ready to reclaim his throne and continue building his legacy as one of the Philippines’ MMA greats.

     

     

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  • La Union to host 2026 WSL Longboard Tour qualifier in January

    La Union to host 2026 WSL Longboard Tour qualifier in January

    The Philippines has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s top destinations for international sporting events in recent years, and the country is set to host another major competition later this month.

     

    La Union, a coastal province in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon, will stage the qualifying event for the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour. Known as a surfers’ paradise, the province has become one of the country’s premier hubs for the sport.

     

    The La Union International Pro is scheduled from January 20 to 24 at Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan and will serve as a direct pathway to the main WSL Longboard Tour.

     

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    “This new format is about creating more access and opportunities to longboarders from all WSL regions. We know there are incredible longboarders in every corner of the world who deserve the chance to compete on the biggest stage,” WSL Longboard Tour Director Will Hayden-Smith said.

    Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio welcomed the hosting of the event, noting its significance not only for Filipino surfers but also for the country’s growing reputation as a sports tourism hub.

     

    “It will be a real thrill to host an exciting event. The event will bring together the world’s best longboarders, men and women alike, to compete on the flawless waves of Monalisa Point in San Juan,” Gregorio said.

     

    “Our Filipino surfing athletes will surely be preparing to show off world-class skill and homegrown heart on home waters. We are excited to deepen our partnership with WSL as the Philippines continues to grow its presence on the global surfing map,” he added.

     

    The competition is open to all WSL Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) surfers worldwide, with four coveted spots up for grabs for the 2026 World Surf League Longboard Tour.

     

    “The event gives Filipino surfers that shot. La Union is a town with such strong connection to longboarding and a perfect wave for competition, so we look forward to this event at this location,” Gregorio concluded.

     

    With the La Union International Pro set to draw elite longboarders from around the world, the event further underscores the Philippines’ growing stature on the global sports calendar. Beyond the competition, it also highlights La Union’s rise as a premier surfing destination, offering local athletes a rare chance to compete against the world’s best while showcasing the country’s waves, talent, and commitment to sports tourism on an international stage.

     

     

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  • WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem stays ready for whoever comes next: Collazo or Taduran

    WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem stays ready for whoever comes next: Collazo or Taduran

    Melvin Jerusalem has firmly cemented his place among the Philippines’ boxing elite, capturing multiple professional honors and currently holding the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight championship. The 31-year-old southpaw continues to impress fans with his skill, discipline, and determination inside the ring.

     

    Jerusalem’s most recent triumph came on October 29, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum, during the 50th anniversary of the iconic Thrilla in Manila. Facing South African boxer Siyakholwa Kuse, Jerusalem delivered a commanding performance in front of his home crowd, securing a unanimous decision victory and successfully defending his WBC minimumweight belt.

     

    With the win behind him, Jerusalem now turns his attention to a highly anticipated rematch against World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico for a chance at a unified title.

     

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    However, the rematch hinges on Collazo’s potential clash with fellow Puerto Rican and International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran. Taduran has reportedly begun training in Los Angeles for the bout, though no official announcement has been made. If the fight proceeds, the winner would face Jerusalem for a unification showdown.

    Regardless of the opponent, Jerusalem remains focused and ready.

     

    “The plan was really Collazo. But we are waiting for the final announcement on who he is fighting. Whether it’s me or Taduran, I just have to stay ready. Let’s see how it plays out. If Taduran ends up fighting Collazo, we will know soon. Whoever comes out of that, I’m always ready,” Jerusalem told the media.

     

    “I leave everything to God’s plan. I will just continue training hard and stay prepared. While I’m still a world champion, I want to achieve more, if that is God’s will,” he added.

     

    Jerusalem capped off a remarkable 2025 by defending his WBC minimumweight title twice. He first overcame Japan’s Yudai Shigeoka via unanimous decision before following up with a dominant win over Siyakholwa Kuse.

     

    “I’m very thankful for 2025. Defending my title twice was a big blessing. I thank God for giving me the strength and conditioning, both in training and in the fight,” Jerusalem said.

     

    Currently, Jerusalem is training at the ZIP Sanman Boxing Gym, sharpening his skills and maintaining peak conditioning. The world champion is leaving nothing to chance, preparing to be the best version of himself whenever the next opportunity arises, whether it comes against Collazo or Taduran.

     

     

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  • Francis Ceccarelli is gearing up for the Winter Olympic Games after becoming the first Filipino to qualify for the competition

    Francis Ceccarelli is gearing up for the Winter Olympic Games after becoming the first Filipino to qualify for the competition

    Francis Ceccarelli etched his name in Philippine sports history by becoming the first Filipino to secure a quota spot for the Olympic Winter Games. The 22-year-old alpine skier will compete in the event scheduled to be held on February 26, jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy.

     

    Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Ceccarelli was adopted by an Italian couple at the age of eight and moved to Italy after his adoption. Despite living and training in Italy, Ceccarelli chose to represent the Philippines on the international stage, a decision he has upheld since 2023. With his qualification, he becomes the fifth Olympic alpine skier in the country’s history.

     

    “Since I started skiing, my Filipino identity has always been with me. It represents where I was born and where I’m from. It was a goal for me to ski for the Philippines, because it is not every day that we have a Filipino athlete skiing at the international level,” Ceccarelli shared in a media interaction.

     

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    Residing in Abetone, a small town in Tuscany’s Pistoia province, Ceccarelli was introduced to skiing through his family. His mother, a skier herself, was his first coach and biggest influence.

    “I choose skiing because my mom’s family are skiers and because in Abetone, the principal sport is skiing. The first one who encouraged me to ski was my mom at ski camp. After that, I thought that skiing was really fun and with the passage of time, I decided to do skiing. I had many coaches, the first coach was my mom and now, my coach is Stefano,” he explained.

     

    Ceccarelli’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by dedication, consistency, and international competition.

     

    “I’m feeling good, and really proud of myself and for the people who support me. I’m really excited and ready for this Olympics season. I qualified for the Winter Olympics because I made many races and trainings before. Also because I started skiing before I knew the Italian language. I think the secret for all this is constancy and continuity.

     

    “So I participated in many races internationally, like FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation). I made good results in FIS races in slalom discipline. I had the Asian Winter Games. I had a great opportunity to be on the podium but when you want to go further, it happens that you make mistakes,” Ceccarelli added.

     

    With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, all eyes will be on Ceccarelli as he makes his maiden appearance on the world’s biggest stage for winter sports. Filipino fans will be eager to see if he can continue the country’s tradition of producing young athletes who shine internationally, this time on snow and ice.

     

     

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  • Manila to host first-ever SEA Plus Youth Games in 2028 — POC

    Manila to host first-ever SEA Plus Youth Games in 2028 — POC

    The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is laying the groundwork for what it hopes will become a long-term pipeline for Southeast Asia’s next generation of elite athletes, with plans to stage the inaugural Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games (SEA Plus YG) in Manila in 2028.

     

    Designed as a high-level developmental meet, the proposed multi-sport event aims to bridge the gap between grassroots competition and major international tournaments such as the Asian Youth Games (AYG) and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG). 

     

    The SEA Plus YG will feature athletes aged 17 and under and is set to be held at least a year before the AYG, ensuring regional athletes gain meaningful exposure and competitive experience ahead of continental and global stages.

     

    POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has taken the lead in conceptualizing and organizing the Games and will serve as its founding president. 

     

    The initiative has already gained strong regional backing, with nine of the 11 National Olympic Committee (NOC) presidents from Southeast Asia—Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Timor Leste—signaling their support for the new competition.

     

    “The SEA Plus YG is Southeast Asia’s answer to molding athletes at the grassroots level, make them competitive at the AYG level and able and capable of winning medals at the YOG,” Tolentino said.

     

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    “Ultimately, the end goal is for these young athletes to have those strong foundations to contend at the Summer and Winter Olympics,” he added.

     

    Beyond regional approval, the concept has also earned the endorsement of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Tolentino revealed that the OCA committed its full support during a meeting with founding members, attended by OCA Director General Dr. Husain AHZ Al-Musallam of Kuwait. The SEA Plus YG is planned as a biennial event to align with the AYG cycle, which is regarded as Asia’s second-largest multi-sport competition after the Asian Games.

     

    The proposed program structure reflects the Games’ developmental focus: two mandatory sports, up to 12 Olympic sports, a maximum of five Asian non-Olympic sports, and one traditional sport featuring up to six medal events. The “Plus” element of the Games refers to the inclusion of at least one invited Asian NOC from outside Southeast Asia in every edition, a move aimed at raising competition levels and broadening cultural exchange.

     

    “The SEA Plus YG is an elite-level, developmental and culturally unifying multi-sport event as we have stated in the games’ charter,” said Tolentino, who was cited by fellow NOC heads as the driving force who “initiated, guided and established the creation of SEA Plus YG.”

     

    If realized as planned, the Manila-hosted inaugural edition in 2028 could position the Philippines at the center of a new regional effort to systematically prepare young athletes for Asia’s biggest stages—and eventually, the Olympic Games.

     

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