THE Pilipinas Sambo marked its debut stint on a high note capturing five gold medals, one silver, and five bronzes in the First Southeast Asia (SEA) Sambo Championship on April 12 at the Lagoon Hotel Sultan, Senayan in Jakarta.
The 14-member Pilipinas Sambo, led by President Paolo Claudio and Secretary-General Paolo Tancontian, proudly donned the Philippine flag and gave their best in the competition that served as test event for the 2018 Asian Games.
But Asian Games Wushu Gold medalist Rene Catalan of Catalan Fighting System Philippines, Reydemtor Nacionales of Iflex Philippines, Patrick Manicad, Carls John de Tomas, and Roque Mana-ay shined the brightest after clinching gold medals in their respective categories in the international competition that attracted over 300 athletes which came from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines.
The legendary mixed martial artist Catalan lorded over his rivals in the Male-57kg Combat Sambo while Dabewenyo Nacionales ruled the Male-62kg of the same event.
Manicad governed the -62kg Combat Sambo as de Tomas dominated the -74kg Combat Sambo as well.
Mana-ay was also successful as he captured the lone gold in the Sport Sambo event by winning in the Male-62kg Division.
The silver haul is courtesy of Jess Salcedo while the bronzes were delivered by Czar and Mae Bayas, Palarong Pambansa-bound Ronnie Marielle Santiago, Jomary Torres and Ariane Fantilanan. While multi-athlete Chino Sy Tancontian and second Dan judoka Alas Larida bowed out earlier in the competition.