FIRST-TIMERS, 100% medal haul: Balbalan neophyte fighters snatch 9 medals at 2026 Regional Muaythai Championships – Luzon Leg

SPORTS

Balbalan, Kalinga – It may have been their first time stepping onto a higher-level combative sports competition, but young fighters from Balbalan did not hold back, securing a 100 percent medal rate at the 2026 Regional Muaythai Championships – Luzon Leg in Malolos, Bulacan from April 13 to 17, 2026.

The Regional Muaythai Championships – Luzon Leg serves as a qualifying event for the Muaythai National Open Championships, which paves the way for promising athletes to join the Philippine Muaythai national team. This year’s competition gathered around 250 athletes from 16 local government units across Luzon.

The eight fighters from the Balbalan Combative Team, all first-time participants in the tournament, proved their strength by winning 4 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 1 bronze.

The gold medalists were Divine Ancheta, Jugayon Pinagod, Aimyel Agyao, and Jan Rey Calagui, while the silver medalists included Lilian Angid, Macree Tangdol, Devance Dongnga, and Shan Danao. Ancheta also secured a bronze medal in the Wai Kru category.

Special awards were also earned by Calagui, who was named Best Rising Male Novice Athlete, and Angid, who was recognized as Best Rising Female Novice Athlete.

The team was coached by Arvin Sabado, Junjie Dawaton, Thea Shivonne Tombali, and Erwin Tagure.

‘We have many promising athletes in far-flung areas’ – Tagure

Head Coach Erwin Tagure, who owns Tribu Banwar, continues to advocate for grassroots sports development, believing that many promising athletes can be found in far-flung communities.

He emphasized that these young individuals, often shaped by hard labor and challenging environments, possess the strength and resilience needed in sports. Tagure shared that he aims to help cultivate their skills, opening doors to greater opportunities—especially in college, where they may earn scholarships by joining varsity teams.

To advance this advocacy, Team Tribu Banwar has been conducting free grappling clinics and skills training in remote areas, introducing children to combative sports and guiding them in their development.

“Sayang dagitoy uubing nu mapariwara da lang wenno nu han matungpal dagiti arapaap da,” he said, explaining why he and his team continue to offer free training whenever possible.