Tribu Banwar of Tabuk City strikes 10 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze medals in national Muaythai championships

SPORTS

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Despite fielding a smaller delegation due to the ongoing tribal conflict in Kalinga, Team Tribu Banwar of Tabuk City delivered a powerful performance, hauling 14 medals in the 2026 National Muaythai Championships and General’s Cup.

The young fighters, aged 6 to 21, bagged 10 gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in the national competition held in Pasig City from October 28 to 31.

Tribu Banwar sent 15 athletes to compete against around 750 fighters from different parts of the country.

The gold medalists were Whakan River Tagure, Frederick Balongay, Kenny Joe Latawan, Noah Gil Malondon, Ghailan Malawis, Froilan Saking, Ralph Liwaliw, Tristan Matalang, and KIA Gonnay Velic.

Cyrey Joy Dalwidao and Dominator Banguiyao claimed silver medals, while Kyle Galema and Godsent Balongay secured bronze. Bright Pagod also gained valuable competition experience.

Team head coach Erwin Tagure told GURU Press Cordillera that the team had fewer participants this year because of the ongoing conflict between the Tulgao and Butbut tribes, which prevented some athletes from joining the competition.

Despite the smaller delegation, Tagure considered the team's performance a positive development, noting that 10 of its 15 athletes won gold medals.

The team's medal haul reflects a higher gold-medal yield compared with its performance last year, when it collected 28 medals composed of 12 gold, nine silver, and seven bronze. Tribu Banwar was also named champion in the Combat Muaythai category and first runner-up overall in the previous competition.

While celebrating its latest achievement, the team continues to train for upcoming competitions.

Two of its fighters, Dick Saking and Alexander Tagure, are scheduled to compete in two international tournaments this November.