iTinglayan newbie fighter wins silver medal in international jiu-jitsu

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A 19-year-old newbie jiu-jitsu fighter from Tinglayan has made his kailyans proud after winning a silver medal in the recently held Northern International Jiu-jitsu Open Championships in Baguio City, his first-ever fight for the said sport.

In February 2025, David Guyang, who is a first-year engineering student at the Kalinga State University and from Bugnay, Tinglayan, accompanied his kailyans in the CARAA concentration training of the Kalinga athletes.

At that time, he caught the attention of Coach Erwin Tagure of the Tribu Banwar because of his undeniable potential and moves. While he seemed to have the skills, what gave him the opportunity to be trained by Tagure was his humility and patience in helping the fighters from Tinglayan.

“Na-discover ko isuna idi CARAA concentration training ti Kalinga athletes, umay na piman al- alalayan kakailyan na ti wrestling team. Nakitak adda garaw na tapos natulnug, naanus, ken narespeto nga ubing,” Tagure recalled to GURU Press Cordillera.

After talking to Guyang, Tagure then offered him free training after his classes in the afternoon. After a month at Tribu Banwar, the 19-year-old was sent to compete in the international jiu-jitsu in Baguio City last April 12, where he collected a silver medal.