WORLD-class Dabawenya sambo player Sydney Sy Tancontian vowed to bounce back stronger after failing to land a podium finish in the recently concluded 2023 Armenia NOC President's Cup, her first competition after almost a one-year hiatus.
She finished fifth in the women's +80 kg. category of the meet where she was the lone entry from the Philippines.
"It is always an honor to represent the Philippines. It might not be the result that I was hoping, but I will bounce back from this and make it an eye-opener for me that I should work harder to pursue my goal to win more medals and make my country proud," she wrote on her Facebook.
The 23-year-old veteran internationalist outclassed Anna Mkrtchyan of Armenia, 2-1, in their quarterfinals encounter but lost to 2018 world titlist Elene Kebadze of Georgia in their semifinal clash. The latter went on to capture the gold medal.
Tancontian also bowed to Nagira Sarbashova of Kyrgyzstan in the repechage (1-3).
She trained in Singapore after graduating from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Sports Management at the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics.
"Bale after nung competition ko po kasi sa Turkey last September, ngayon nalang po ulit ako nag-compete abroad (After my last competition in Turkey in September 2022, I just resumed competing abroad)," she told SunStar Davao.
She needed to take a break from competition to focus on her last year in college. The past few months were a struggle for her, having to make up for all her missed classes and school requirements while she was pursuing her athletic career.
Tancontian added, "I told myself it was time to focus on my studies for the rest of the year, and it paid off. I graduated in four years while having an active, athletic career. Now, I'm ready to conquer new challenges and be a better version of myself."
She thanked the Philippine Sports Commission and Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. for believing in her and supporting her in all her endeavors.