Yap notches sambo bronze in World Games

MANILA, Philippines — Aislinn Agnes Yap vented her ire on Costa Rica’s Nicole Castro and won their sambo duel to add a bronze medal to the Philippines’ haul in the World Games in Chengdu, China Thursday.

Yap showed why she is the top-ranked fighter in the women’s combat -80-kilogram division in overwhelming Castro, 3-0, in copping the bronze that hiked the country’s medal count to two silver and two bronzes.

It somehow eased the pain of kickboxer Hergie Bacyadan’s controversial defeat to Serbian Aleksandra Krstic that denied the former a bronze.

With all her heavy punches, high kicks and knees connecting to the Serbian's face and body, Bacyadan looked fit for the podium ceremony happening in the evening and add to the Team Philippines' collection of two silvers and one bronze.

But the judges awarded the victory to Krstic, who was visibly shaken and grimacing in pain the entire match.

It was a controversial result for the Paris Olympian, who has a wealth of international fighting experience from wushu, vovinam and boxing.

The national team also decided not to pursue a protest and instead move on.

Aislinn Yap, ranked No. 1 in the world, also absorbed a shocking 0-2 loss to Ulbossyn Adilova of Kazakhstan in their women's sambo combat -80-kilogram semifinal bout at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium.

Adilova had total control on the mat and was the aggressor from the start, denying Yap her takedown attempts and putting up a wall of defense when the Filipina switched to striking to steal the match.

Yap was relegated to the bronze-medal game where she will fight Nicole Castro of Costa Rica at 6:12 p.m. later in the evening.

In men's individual duathlon, Franklin Yee crossed the line six minutes and 23 seconds behind gold medal winner Benjamin Choquert of France (1:14:14) and was the best finisher for the Philippine team at the Xinglong Lake Hubin Arena.

Landing at 24th spot among 34 athletes, Yee (1:20:37) placed better than his teammates Maynard Pecson (1:23:59, 28th) and John Patrick Ciron (1:26:50, 30th).

Triathlon Association of the Philippines President Tom Carrasco Jr. said the female participants, who will have turn Friday, target a top 10 finish in the ultra-competitive field usually dominated by European bets.

"We really have to go harder after the results today. After these races we will assess ourselves and look for a system of international coaches who can guide us well," Carrasco said.

Bannering the squad is Merry Joy Trupa, who was second place in last February's Asian Duathlon Championships in Bahrain. Joining her is six-time Southeast Asian Games champion Kim Mangrobang and stalwart Bea Quiambao.