Tabuk rules Kickboxing with 12 Gold, 7 Silver in Battle of Warriors 5th Season, drawing over 250 fighters

SPORTS

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — More than 250 combat fighters from across the Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, and Metro Manila converged in Kalinga for the fifth season of the Battle of Warriors: Laban Kontra Droga, with Tabuk City’s Team Wonderkick Martial Art Training Center dominating the kickboxing competition.

Held on August 22 at the Kalinga Astrodome in Bulanao, Tabuk City, the tournament featured competitions in boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, bringing together young fighters from different areas to test their skills and gain valuable competition experience.

Wonderkick rules kickboxing

Team Wonderkick Martial Art Training Center of Agbannawag, Tabuk City, emerged as the dominant force in kickboxing after collecting 12 gold and seven silver medals.

Meanwhile, Team Kalinga Fist Boxing Gym captured the overall boxing championship with 9 gold and five silver medals.

In Muay Thai, Alpha Eagle Combative of Baguio City claimed the overall championship after winning 2 gold medals.

Battle-tested in Kalinga

Combat sports coach Jeofrey Velasco Dalwidao, who initiated the tournament in 2024, said the Battle of Warriors was created to provide young athletes with an avenue to sharpen their skills, gain exposure, and learn from fighters from other regions.

He said the tournament also serves as a training ground for athletes preparing for bigger competitions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) and other tournaments.

“It aims to develop our athletes’ skills ken it also serves as exposure ti athletes tayo para next CARAA ken daduma nga tournaments,” Dalwidao said.

Beyond competition, Dalwidao said the tournament is also part of his effort to keep young people engaged in sports and away from vices, including illegal drugs.

“Ken daytoy sports gamin ket mamati ak nga ilisi na dagiti u-ubbing tayo kadagiti bisyo like illegal drugs,” he added.

With more than 250 fighters filling the competition venue, the fifth Battle of Warriors gave young combat athletes a chance to compete, build confidence, and prepare for higher-level tournaments.

For Team Wonderkick, however, the home-court campaign ended on top—with 12 gold medals and seven silver medals, making Tabuk City a force to reckon with in kickboxing.