Team Lakay coach and founder Mark Sangiao cannot help but admire the talents who showed up during the first Lakay Martial Arts Grand Prix last weekend at the BSU gym.
With 15 participants in the grappling competition and 14 in the striking event, Sangiao said there are promising athletes, not just from Baguio and Benguet, but also from Manila and Pasig who could be soon competing in national and hopefully international events.
“The grappling event saw the best of the different teams who came and it was nice to see their improvement. In boxing, kicboxing, and Muay Thai, we saw fighters who have leveled up and there were also teams from Manila and Pasig,” said Sangiao.
Leading the winners in the grappling competition are Mico Heidenn Sanchez (La Trinidad/ Baguio BJJ) in the 50 kg below, Rafael Donglasan (La Trinidad/ Baguio BJJ) in the 51 – 57 kg, Chad Mayos in the 58 – 64 kg (Lakay Central Gym), Ychivan Moises in the 65 – 71 kg (La Trinidad/ Baguio BJJ) and Mclean Tudayan (La Trinidad/ Baguio BJJ) in the 72 – 79 kg category.
In the boxing matches, Team Siglat Fitness made their mark with Marvin Cabigquesscoring via technical knock – out in the third round (56 kg) while Gibson Potpotan (58 kg) won via unanimous decision.
In Muay Thai, emerging victorious are Jose Dionisio Pig-ang (48 kg) of Goals Gym, winning via technical knock – out in the second round, Ralph Aclinen (54 kg) of Dojo Kaizen Team with a technical knock – out in the second round and Billy Chinalpan (catchweight) of BCU Combative Club via unanimous decision.
In kickboxing, Brailford Aquilio (63 kg) of BSU Combative Club scored a technical knock – out in the third round 3 while Ezra Saclag (57 kg) of Lakay Central Gym winning via unanimous decision.
Sangiao said the event backed by Benguet Cong. Eric Go Yap and KM Ngayon na Partylist is more than just giving exposure to young athletes but also help in the grassroots and talent identification of martial arts in the province and even nearby areas in a bid to discover future world champions.
“For now, we cannot say who among them who can be world champions but this will all depend on the athletes who are determined and will consistently train,” said Sangiao.
More than the competition, current Team Lakay fighters Carlo Bumina-ang, Carlos Alvarez, Jhanlo Sangiao, and Jean Claude Saclag showed up to encourage the participants.
“Nagkaroon din ng meet and greet sa mga elite athletes ng team, para magbigay ng inspirasyon sa ating mga atleta,” added Sangiao.
The event is also backed by FB Bantales Engineering Construction, Benguet Sports for All, Ilustrado Business Group, HQ Lounge, HQTL Sports Cafe, Atty. Guiller Galwan, and S&J Printing and other Services.
