Philippine fares well in first try at ‘bokator’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines can beat Southeast Asian Games host Cambodia at its own game.

Playing the sport for the first time, a rag-tag team composed of Filipino Muay Thai and sambo fighters shocked the Cambodians by snatching a pair of gold medals in the first Kun Bokator Southeast Asian Championships in Phnom Penh.

Alyssa Kylie Mallari and Richien Yosorez reigned supreme in the women’s bokator spirit form and single bare hand form, respectively, in the sport inserted by the host country in the Phnom Penh SEAG calendar set May 5 to 17.

Team Philippines also snared a silver courtesy of Johnden Aldana Jr. in the men’s 55kg combat and three bronzes from Islay Erika Bomogao (women’s combat 45kg), Jeilord Alvarez (male combat 60kg) and Orlando Castillo Jr. (male combat 65kg).