Chengdu: Kickboxer Hergie Bacyadan missed the podium at the World Games after losing to Serbian Aleksandra Krstic, 1-2, in the women’s K1 -70kg event at the Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu, China. Despite her heavy punches, high kicks, and knees connecting to the Serbian’s face and body, the judges awarded the victory to Krstic, who was grimacing in pain throughout the match.
According to Philippines News Agency, Aislinn Yap bowed to Kazakhstan’s Ulbossyn Adilova, 0-2, in the semifinals of the women’s sambo combat -80kg at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium. Yap was scheduled to face Costa Rica’s Nicole Castro later in the evening in the battle for the bronze medal.
In the men’s individual duathlon, Franklin Yee had the best finish among the Filipinos after crossing the finish line 6 minutes and 23 seconds behind gold medal winner Benjamin Choquert of France (1:14:14) at the Xinglong Lake Hubin Arena. Yee (1:20:37) was 24th among 34 entries, while teammates Maynard Pecson (1:23:59) was 28th and John Patrick Ciron (1:26:50) was 30th.
The women’s competition is set for Friday, with Merry Joy Trupa, a silver medalist at the 2025 Asian Duathlon Championships in Bahrain last February, six-time Southeast Asian Games champion Kim Mangrobang, and stalwart Bea Quiambao eyeing a Top 10 finish. “We really have to go harder after the results today (Thursday). After these races, we will assess ourselves and look for a system of international coaches who can guide us well,” said Triathlon Association of the Philippines President Tom Carrasco Jr.
The Philippines has already won three medals coming from Chezka Centeno (silver, women’s 9-ball), Jenna Kaila Napolis (silver, women’s 52kg jujitsu), and Carlos Baylon Jr. (bronze, men’s wushu sanda 56kg), with three days left in the tournament.
