RICHMOND Revina, a completely blind Filipino athlete, brought home the silver medal from the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan — a moment he described as unforgettable and deeply emotional.
Competing in the men’s -64kg SVI-1 (visually impaired) category, the 26-year-old Revina secured his spot on the podium after a thrilling 4-2 semifinal victory over Kazakhstan’s Srazhdin Shavdinov.
Revina expressed gratitude to those who stood by him throughout his journey — especially his family and coaching team. He gave special thanks to his older brother Champ, a former URCC mixed martial arts fighter now serving as a police officer, whose words became a source of his strength.
“He told me, ‘Keep going, because I never got that far. I’m always here to support you,’” Revina shared during an interview with RP2 Sports Radio. “That’s why I’m so happy and thankful that God gave me a family like them.”
Revina, who also works as a professional masseur, trains under the guidance of Pilipinas Sambo head coach Ace Larida, who spoke with pride about his athlete’s accomplishments.
“I’m extremely proud of Richmond,” said coach Larida. “He’s an inspiration not just to our team, but to the entire nation.”
Though the silver medal is a major milestone, Revina remains focused on his bigger dream — winning gold for the Philippines. “This has always been my dream — not just for myself, but for my family, for my brother, and for the entire Philippines,” he said.
