14-yr.-old miner’s daughter takes home first Palaro wrestling medal for Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Province of Kalinga has taken home its first-ever wrestling medal in the biggest sporting event in the country through a 14-year-old miner’s daughter from Batong Buhay, Balatoc, Pasil.

Though it is her first time to get qualified for the Palarong Pambansa, Imari Taclawan did not hold back in the 44 Cadets wrestling match in Ilocos Norte, proving that Kalinga houses promising fighters.

On May 28, Imari, a grade 9 student at the Batong Buhay National High School, wrestled her way to the silver medal which marked a milestone in the history of Kalinga sports as the province is yet to get a Palaro medal in wrestling until Imari took the ring on Wednesday.

Talking to GURU Press Cordillera, Imari’s coach, Precy Grace Bommosao recounted that it was the 14-year-old who was interested to join when they were scouting for players who would be playing for the wrestling competition in the Kalinga Provincial Meet three years ago. She added that the young fighter has always been interested in said sports mostly dominated by men.

The passion in Imari for combative sports was fueled by her parents, who have always been supportive of her aspirations in life, she added.

“[she’s] a normal nga honor student ken amin nga kayat na salian, maki-join, ta permi support parents na… na-train met lang trabaho balay ken aw-awiten ni ama na idiay pag usukan da nu awan uskwela da,” Precious narrated.

Among Imari’s preparations for the Palarong Pambansa 2025 included cross training with the Tribu Banwar with Coach Erwin Tagure who also trained her for the CARAA Meet 2025. Additionally, she was also coached by Geralyn Tao in the Palarong Pambansa.

Kalinga Governor James Edduba, who travelled to Ilocos Norte to show his support to the iKalinga athletes playing in the national sports meet, commended Imari for her feat and for bringing pride to the province.

“Daytoy to mangipakita ti potential ti atleta tayo. Soon we will upgrade our sports facilities, equipment, and training to give them more chances to succeed,” the governor wrote in his social media account.