Like father like son: Itogon fighter wins gold in international kickboxing tournament

‘I’m doing this sport to continue my father’s legacy… I fell in love with the sport and realized it was where I truly belonged.’

ITOGON, Benguet — For 21-year-old Shandris S. Nganhayna, every fight is more than a battle inside the ring.

It is a continuation of a story that began with his father—a world champion whose name remains part of Philippine combat sports history.

Now, Shandris is writing the next chapter.

The young fighter from the PLDT Compound in Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, recently brought home gold in the 54-kilogram K1 category at the 2nd Cross-Strait Cities Kickboxing Tournament in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, held from August 13 to 16, 2026.

It was Shandris’ first international competition under the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), giving him his first major opportunity to measure his skills against fighters from other countries.

He returned home with gold—but the medal represents far more than victory.

For Shandris, it is a tribute.

A son carrying his father’s name

“I got interested in kickboxing because of my father,” Shandris said.

His father, Rexel Nganhayna of Ifugao, was a national athlete in Wushu Sanda and captured the gold medal in the men’s 56-kilogram Sanda division at the 2005 World Wushu Championships.

Rexel also represented the Philippines at international competitions, including the 2002 Asian Games, where he won silver in the same weight class.

But in 2021, the family lost Rexel to a heart attack.

His death could have marked the end of the Nganhayna family’s chapter in combat sports.

Instead, it became the beginning of another.

“The purpose I’m doing this sport is to continue my father’s legacy,” Shandris said.

His father’s achievements gave him an early glimpse of what was possible inside the ring.

But as Shandris grew into the sport, he slowly discovered that he was not simply trying to become another Rexel.

He was becoming Shandris.

When passion became purpose

Growing up in Itogon, Shandris said the mountains helped shape the way he approaches life and competition.

“Being from Itogon means carrying the spirit of our mountains—strong, grounded and always willing to give my best in everything I do,” he said.

His journey was not easy.

While pursuing his studies, he also had to commit himself to demanding training sessions. He learned to balance schoolwork with physical preparation while dealing with fatigue, pressure, setbacks, and the uncertainty that comes with competition.

“The biggest challenge when I started competing was everything felt new and tough—balancing intense daily training, staying consistent even when tired or discouraged, and learning to handle pressure,” he said.

There were also moments when he questioned whether he truly belonged in competitive sports.

But instead of allowing losses to define him, Shandris learned to treat them as lessons.

Every defeat taught him something. Every difficult training session strengthened him. Every competition helped him build confidence.

“Step by step, I trained harder, fell in love with the sport and realized it was where I truly belonged—turning passion into purpose,” he said.

Hong Kong: The legacy gets a new chapter

Then came Hong Kong.

Stepping into the competition area for his first international WAKO tournament, Shandris carried more than his gloves and fighting gear.

He carried the name of his family, his hometown, the Cordillera, and the Philippines.

When the competition ended, he had a gold medal around his neck.

The victory was emotional.

“It was absolutely overwhelming—joyful and grateful all at once. Realizing all the sacrifices, early mornings, sweat and the hardest part, which is cutting weight, finally paid off,” he said.

He credited God and the people who supported him throughout his journey.

“I felt blessed, honored and incredibly thankful to God first, then to everyone supporting me,” he added.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the victory was knowing that he had represented his country.

“Representing our country is the greatest honor I could ever ask for and it changes everything,” Shandris said.

“You fight not just for yourself but for our kababayan back home.”

A fighter from the mountains

For Shandris, being a Cordilleran athlete carries its own responsibility.

“To show the world that great athletes, strong hearts and brave spirits rise from our mountains makes me incredibly happy and honored,” he said.

His victory in Hong Kong is only one step in a much bigger journey.

The young fighter is now preparing for the 2026 Asian Kickboxing Championship in Cambodia, where he plans to increase the intensity of his training and continue improving his technique, strength, and endurance.

His ambitions extend even further.

“My goals are to keep winning national and international titles, compete at the highest levels including world championships, and keep raising the name of our country, especially Cordillera,” he said.

One legacy, two champions

Years ago, his father stood on the world stage with a gold medal in Wushu Sanda.

Today, Shandris is following a different path in kickboxing—but the values remain familiar: discipline, sacrifice, courage, and the determination to keep fighting.

He is not trying to recreate his father’s journey.

He is building his own.

And every time he steps into the ring, he carries a piece of where he came from.

For young Cordilleran athletes dreaming of their own victories, Shandris has a simple message:

Keep going. Keep grinding. And always keep praying.

From the mountains of Itogon to the international ring in Hong Kong, a father’s legacy has found a new fighter—and a son has begun turning that legacy into his own golden story.