TWENTY-SIX Filipino kickboxers are set to see action in the 2024 Asian Kickboxing Championships in Cambodia starting on Sunday at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom, Penh.
The Philippine team left for Cambodia on Friday.
Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas is hoping to surpass the four gold medals it won in the 2022 event in Bangkok, with Olympic boxer Hergie Bacyadan among the fighters to watch in the nine-day tournament.
The gold medalists in the event will qualify for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.
Bacyadan, 30, who competed in Paris Olympics, returns to kickboxing as she vies in the women’s 70 kgs against top fighters from China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Thailand, among other Asian nations.
“We expect very strong opposition in Cambodia because everybody wants to qualify for the World Games,” Bacyadan told BusinessMirror.
Bacyadan will be joined by seven female fighters including 2022 champion Gina Iniong Araos (-56 kgs low kick), Renalyn Dacquel (-48 kgs full contact), Aime Ramos (-48 kgs low kick), Claudine Veloso (-52 kgs K1), Gretel de Paz (-60 kgs K1), Chen Yosorez (-50 kgs PF) and Jana Lavador (form).
Three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jean Claude Saclag (-63.5kgs K1) leads the 17-strong men’s team including Jeremy Pacatiw (-67 kgs FC), Daryl Chulipas (-51 kgs FC), Karole Maguide (-54 kgs FC), Felex Cantores (-63.5 kgs FC), Kurt Lubrica (-51kgs low kick), Mikko Camingawan (-54 kgs low kick) Carlo Buminaang (-67 kgs low kick), Jansen Pareja (-51 kgs K1), Gameber Angcaway (-54 kgs K1), Honorario Banario (-75 kgs K1), Lance Villamer (-63 kgs PF), Emanuel Cantores (-63 kgs KL), Vincent Bartolazo (63 kgs LC), Enrile Amangao (57 kgs PF), and Whinny Bayawon (57 kgs KL) and Jovan Medallo (form).
