Mt. Province fighters “D’Phenomenons” strike big in Cebu, seize Top 2 spots in kickboxing showdown

SPORTS

BONTOC, Mountain Province — Team D’Phenomenons Combat Team of Mountain Province delivered a dominant showing at the 2026 Visayas Kickboxing Championship Open, capturing the top two spots in the overall standings and bringing home 39 medals from Cebu.

Held from September 12 to 15 at SM Seaside City Cebu, the tournament featured 15 elite teams from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Head coach Darwin P. Padchonga divided the team into two squads—Team D’Phenomenons Combat Team A and B—to accommodate weight-category limits and allow more fighters to compete in Kick Light and Point Fighting.

The strategy paid off, with Team D’Phenomenons A finishing No. 1 in the official overall medal and point rankings, while Team D’Phenomenons B placed No. 2 in total medals.

The two squads combined for 39 medals—6 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze across the two disciplines, according to the team’s medal breakdown.

In Kick Light, the team collected 17 medals—two gold, seven silver and eight bronze.

In Point Fighting, the fighters added 22 medals—four gold, 10 silver and eight bronze.

Five D’Phenomenons fighters were also recognized among the tournament’s Top Kickboxers.

Jordan Ace L. Fagyan led the charge, winning gold in both Kick Light and Point Fighting to become a double champion and earn recognition as a Top Male Kickboxer.

Also named among the Top Male Kickboxers were Kenzi Myroe Fulangen, who won one gold and one silver, Alrich Erron Bengdaen, with one gold and one bronze, and Japesan Y. Fagkas, who secured two silver medals.

Hanna Wyanet Padchonga Rebolledo was recognized as a Top Female Kickboxer after winning two silver medals.

Despite the medal haul, Padchonga said the team entered the competition primarily to test its fighters in a discipline outside its usual foundation in Muay Thai.

“To be completely honest, these back-to-back victories were far beyond what we ever expected. Going into the tournament, our team's only goal was to try our best and strive for excellence,” Padchonga said.

He said the team also wanted to challenge its fighters to adapt and compete beyond their usual limits.

“While our team’s main core and foundation lies in Muay Thai, we wanted to test our capabilities and push our limits within the sport of Kickboxing,” he added.

For Padchonga, the Cebu campaign showed that the fighters’ training and adaptability could translate to another combat sport.

“To come away with these results proves that hard work, adaptability, and faith truly pay off,” he said.

What started as a test of their skills ended with Team D’Phenomenons taking the top two overall spots and returning to Mountain Province with a 39-medal haul.

Padchonga described the unexpected success as “more than we could have ever asked from God.”