MANILA – Ilonggo Philip Delarmino added another achievement to his cap. He ruled his division in the 2021 IFMA World Championships on Saturday afternoon at the Nimibutr Stadium in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
The Dumangas, Iloilo native made heads turn in the 57 kilogram senior elite male category by defeating Russian Aleksandr Abramov, 30-27, in the championship match.
On his way to the finale round, Delarmino prevailed over India’s Laishram Bidyachandra Singh, 20-18; Sweden’s Javad Vahid Rezah, 30-27; and Kazakhstan’s Almaz Sarsembekov, 29-28.
With his recent feat, the 31-year-old Ilonggo muay thai player earned the opportunity to represent the country in the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by chairman William “Butch” Ramirez congratulated the Ilonggo muay thai star for becoming the country’s latest world champion.
Prior to his world championship, Delarmino was a gold medal winner in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in the country and recently in the World Muay Thai Council Asian tournament in Dubai, UAE.
Meanwhile, Filipina muay thai players Islay Erika Bomogao and Rudzma Abubakar settled for bronze medal finishes in their respective age groups.
Bomogao, who finished silver in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in Manila, lost to Russia’s Bella Durandina, 30-27, in Friday’s semifinal of the U23 Female Elite 45 kilograms class.
Abubakar, for her part, also succumbed in the semifinals round at the expense of Thailand’s Thanawan Thongduang, 30-27, in the U23 Female Elite 48 kilograms category./PN
