LAKAY Training Center (TC) grabbed seven gold medals, including three silvers and seven bronze to claim the over title in the 31st Team Lakay Grapplers Cup.
Lakay Central gym, meanwhile, earned two golds, three silvers and two bronze medals to clinch second place, while Pangasinan Jiu-jitsu Academy went home with one gold, one silver, and one bronze for a decent third place finish even as University of the Cordilleras bagged a gold medal in the one day competition held at the Benguet Sports Complex gym in Wangal, La Trinidad.
Gold medal winners in their respective events are Edilberto Coquioa Jr. (58-64 kg seniors division), Jhanlo Mark Sangiao (absolute division - men), Estrada Donga-as (51-57 kg seniors division), Islay Erika Bomogao (absolute division - women), and Nicholai Joel Amurao (51-58 kg juniors division).
Other gold medalists include Carlos Alvarez (65-71 kg seniors division), Alexis Mayag-os (51-57 kg juniors division), Limuel Buliwan (13-15 y/o kids division A), Mikael Ackoy (13-15 y/o kids division B), Danny Mayuga (10-12 y/o kids division), and Aldrin James Subido (9 below kids division).
Other participating teams include Team Lakay San Fernando, Fight Corps MMA, BCU Combative Club, and Kafagway MMA.
Focusing on clinching and ground fighting, the Team Lakay grappling tournament aims to develop MMA fighters in their submission skills through the use of submission holds which brings together techniques from folk wrestling, judo, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, jujutsu (of the traditional form), and sambo.
Submission forms can be used as an element of a larger sport setting common in mixed martial arts. The event also aims to develop the skills of local MMA enthusiasts and prepare them for higher levels of combative sports. (Roderick Osis)