MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will have more chances of winning medals in future Olympics as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted full recognition to six sports including kickboxing, muay thai and sambo where the country is traditionally a strong performer.
Also getting the full IOC nod are cheerleading, lacrosse and icestocksports, which, along with kickboxing, muay thai and sambo, are expected to be included in the 2024 Paris Games calendar.
“Definitely nadagdagan chances natin with the addition of the three martial arts events. May potential tayo dyan, which we have proven in the last Southeast Asian Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino.
The congressman from Tagaytay was referring to kickboxing, muay thai and sambo which combined for an impressive eight-gold haul in the 2019 SEA Games.
Filipinos are touted in combat sports including boxing where the country has harvested half of the 10 medals it captured in the quadrennial event.
Recognized provisionally before the COVID-19 pandemic happened, the IFs of all six disciplines have fulfilled the requirements set by the IOC, thus, becoming full-fledged members.