Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Monday hailed the strong performance of the Philippines at the recently concluded Asian Kickboxing Championship held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Tolentino, the President of the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP), said that the 16 medals won by the Filipino kickboxers in the regional competition “shows our athletes’ skills, heart, and huge potential in the sport.”

Jovan Medallo led the team by clinching two gold medals, while Hergie Bacyadan, Gina Araos, and Carlo Von Buminaang won one gold medal each.

Tolentino cited Bacyadan, who bagged the gold in the women’s 70 kilogram K1 division, for displaying her versatility by excelling in four different combat sports.

He noted that Bacyadan, who previously represented the country in boxing in the Paris Olympics, was also a former world champion in vovinam, and world silver medalist in wushu.

“Given sufficient training and support, Filipinos can be very competitive in combat sports, as Hergie Bacyadan has continuously proven,” the senator noted.

Meanwhile, the country’s silver medal was delivered by Honorio Banario, the former ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion who is making a comeback to active competition via kickboxing.

The Philippine team also clinched 10 bronze medals in the regional championships, a qualifying event for the 2025 World Games to be held in China.

Tolentino has been actively promoting kickboxing nationwide, particularly to the youth. The sport is one of the featured events at the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Games.