Golden Triumph: Cagayan de Oro Athletes Excel in First-Ever Kun Bokator Championship in Cambodia

Two athletes from Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines made their mark in the first-ever Kun Bokator Championship held in Cambodia on April 1-3.

Rhichien Yosorez and Alyssa Kylie Mallari both won gold medals in the artistic category of the competition. Kun Bokator is a traditional martial art in Cambodia that emphasizes close hand-to-hand combat, ground techniques, and the use of various weapons.

Compared to kickboxing, Kun Bokator differs significantly in terms of hand movements. However, the two Pinays demonstrated their skills in the Female Performance Single Bokator Bare Hand Form and the Female Performance Single Bokator Spirit Form Category, respectively.

"I still can't believe it because this is my first time to join Kun Bokator and I really saw good athletes here, and they are really great," Mallari said. Yosorez added, "To all athletes like me who are just starting, what I can advise is that if you want to be a successful athlete like me, you need to discipline yourself and have courage, humility, and dedication."

Johnden Aldana, Jr. also made his country proud by winning a silver medal in the 55-Kilogram Combat category despite the challenges he faced in losing weight. Islay Erika Bomogao, Jeilord Alvarez, and Orlando Castillo, Jr. each won a bronze medal in their respective weight categories.

The coach of the Philippine national team, Ace Laridas, was delighted with the performance of the Filipino athletes. "It is innate in us Filipinos that we are good in punching and striking. There is a big chance for us to raise the level of the Philippines," Laridas said.

This competition provides a glimpse of the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, where Kun Bokator will be among the sports contested in May.