Balbalan’s fighting pride: Arvin Sabado bags silver medal in Siamyut Global Heritage Muaythai Championship 2026

SPORTS

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Long before Arvin Sabado stepped into the international Muay Thai ring, he was already fighting a different kind of battle—balancing school, work, and training while pursuing his dream of becoming a competitive fighter.

The native of Salegseg, Balbalan, Kalinga recently added an international silver medal to his growing list of achievements after representing the Philippines at the Siamyut Global Heritage Muaythai Championship 2026 in Samut Songkhram, Thailand, held from August 4 to 12.

Sabado secured silver in the Professional Muaythai division, capping a demanding journey that required discipline not only inside the gym but also in the classroom and workplace.

His achievement was part of a strong showing by the Philippine delegation.

Teammate Joseph Lim captured the 88-kilogram championship belt and gold in Pro-Am Muaythai, while Michael Rimando and Erexter Taligan secured gold in Waikru Doubles. John Carlo Balbido also won gold in Amateur Muaythai.

The delegation added silver medals through Rimando and Taligan in Pro-Am Muaythai, Alester Tagure and Sabado in Professional Muaythai, and Jonard Apa-an in Amateur Muaythai, along with bronze medals in the Pro-Am, Waikru, and Professional divisions.

Fighting beyond the ring

For Sabado, however, the road to the international stage was far from easy.

In an interview with Guru Press, he recalled how difficult it was to balance his studies, work, and combat sports training, particularly when he was still in college.

As a working student, he often had to squeeze training into an already demanding schedule. At one point, he even questioned whether he could continue both his education and his martial arts career.

His coach, however, encouraged him not to choose between the two.

“Idi college nak paylang ta fresh graduate nak ti high school, medyo narigatan nak mangi balance jay training ko kin iskwelak kasi working student nak metlang at that time. Idjay metlang nga time ngay nga medjo nag dadalawang isip nak nu ituloy ko ba combatives ko kasi adda metlang night class ko that time, kin nu ituloy ko metlang ba iskwela or combatives ko...Asi ni apo ta naka graduate nak nga awan failing grades ko haanak na del delay, kasi in push dak metlang ni coach nga ituloy ko latta jay both kasi kunana nga kayak met suda nga duwwa,” Sabado said.

The decision paid off.

Sabado managed to graduate without failing grades while continuing his development as a combat sports athlete—a testament to the discipline he would later carry into the international ring.

The grind behind the silver

That same discipline became crucial as Sabado and his teammates prepared for the Thailand tournament.

According to Sabado, their team usually devotes one to two months of intensive training before major competitions, focusing on both physical conditioning and mental preparation.

For him, being physically strong is only half the battle. A fighter must also enter the ring with a clear and composed mind.

He explained that excessive pressure and stress can affect a fighter’s ability to execute the game plan once the bout begins.

“Iti preparation mi nu adda ti competition nga papanan mi ket ag training kami ti 1 month or 2 months prior to the competition, ket kailangan nga buhos iti training kasi haan met nga basta basta iti competition nga papanan mi. Kailangan metlang nga dapat ti mindset mo nga dapat always fresh, without stress kasi nu laban muntun ket jay utak mo is full of stress. Haan muntun masurut jay gameplan mo, dapat physically and mentally fit ka metlang. Ta nu laban munto ket well-grounded ka nga maki ay ayam ket maalam jay victory,” he added.

For Sabado, the silver medal in Thailand is therefore more than just a medal—it is proof of the work, sacrifices, and lessons gained from years of balancing different responsibilities.

Silver today, gold next

Rather than viewing the silver medal as the end of his journey, Sabado sees it as motivation to improve.

He hopes to receive another invitation to compete abroad, this time with better preparation and a sharper skill set as he chases the gold medal that narrowly eluded him in Thailand.

“Dakkel met ti yaman ko ta naikkan nak ti opportunity nga lumaban ti other country nga i represent iti ili tayo haan lang nga Kalinga pati Pilipinas. Nagadu ti naalak nga lesson, next goal ko ket nu adda manen ti ag-invite kanyami from other countries ket ag training kin ag prepare para diyay. Although mayat met kitdi jay performance ko, kurang lang sunga han nga gold medal. Isu nga jay next nga laban ko ket ipapatik ta maala jay gold,” Sabado said.

From Salegseg, Balbalan, to the international ring in Thailand, Sabado's journey shows that some of the toughest fights do not happen under the lights.

They happen in the early mornings, between classes, after work, and during countless hours of training.

And with a silver medal already around his neck, the young warrior from Kalinga is preparing for another fight—this time, for gold.