The Russian martial arts sport of sambo may be a new sport in the country, but it is one sport where Filipinos could excel.
In fact, sambo could deliver the gold medals in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
Ask national sambo coaches Ace Larida and Paolo Vitug.
"There are seven events in sambo in the SEA Games, and we’re confident of winning five gold medals,” said Larida during his visit in the 28th 'Usapang Sports' presented by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) at the National Press Club in Intramuros last Thursday.n
“First time po na makakasama ang sambo sa SEAG calendar at dahil host tayo, although may pressure, mas determinado ang ating mga atleta na manalo," added Larida during the weekly sports forum sponsored by the
Philippine Sports Commission, Community Basketball Association, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), NPC and HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks.
"Actually po, yung Indonesia ang mahigpit nating karibal, sa SEA Games. Malakas din sila,” Larida told sportswriters when asked for his assessment on the SEA Games.
Vitug, on the other hand, said the success of Team Philippines in the 2nd Southeast Asia Sambo Championship held in Bandung, Indonesia last week, was a clear indication of the Filipinos' readiness in the coming biennial competition.
The PSC-supported sambo team captured two golds, two silvers and one bronze in the event which also served as pre-SEA Games sambo competition.
“Malaki po talaga ang tsansa natin. Although sambo is practically new sa ating mga kababayan, matagal na po ito dito sa atin. We have fighters in Davao and other parts of Mindanao and Luzon. The sports is the amateur side of mixed martial arts,” explained Vitug.
Leading the Filipinos' campaign are Chino Tancontian and Patrick Manicad, who brought home the golds in 82 kgs. men's sports sambo and 82 kgs. men's combat, respectively.
“Kami naman po patuloy lang sa ensayo. Ngayon po na kinikilala na ng POC at PSC ang aming sport, tiyak po na mas marami pang atleta ang magpupursige para maging miyembro ng national team,” claimed Manicad.
"Gaya sa ibang sports, gagawin namin ang aming makakaya para manalo at makapag bigay ng karangalan sa atong bansa," said De los Santos, one of the lead fighters of the UnIversal Reality Combat Championships (URCC).