17-year-old iKalinga fighter wins bronze in MMA at Asian Youth Games

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Seventeen-year-old iKalinga fighter Alexander Tagure Jr. is beginning to reap the fruits of his discipline, grit, faith, consistency, and perseverance after making his first win in international fight on October 26 in Bahrain.

Alexander was one of the Philippine delegates to the 2025 Asian Youth Games held in Manama, Bahrain, from October 22 to 31. Now on its third edition, the event gathered more than 8,000 young athletes from 45 Asian nations, competing across 28 sports disciplines.

The 17-year-old’s participation in the Asian Youth Games—his third international competition—ended with pride as he captured a bronze medal in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 50 kg division. Since this was the first time the Philippines sent delegates for MMA, Alexander made history as the first Filipino medalist from Luzon in MMA at the Asian Youth Games.

Taking home his first-ever international medal, Alexander’s guardian and Tribu Banwar Coach, Erwin Tagure, expressed immense pride in the young athlete, who has been training with passion and commitment. Coach Erwin admitted that Filipino fighters, especially those from the provinces like Alexander, need to exert extra effort to compete against countries that place stronger emphasis on martial arts.

With Alexander finally stepping onto the international arena, Coach Erwin extended his gratitude to the community in Kalinga and officials in Nueva Vizcaya for their unwavering support in helping the 17-year-old represent not only the two provinces but also the Philippines in combat sports.

“Agyamanak iti suporta iti community tayo — isuda talaga iti standout, bayanihan. Sinuportaran da iti proyekto mi tapno makakalap kami iti pondo nga nausar ni Alex ditoy nga nakicro-cross training, supplements na ken pang-allowance na. Isu agyamanak iti kakailyan iti ayat da — haan lang nga iti ubing tayo, no di ket iti kailyan da,” he told GURU Press Cordillera.