FILIPINA sambist Sydney Sy-Tancontian has claimed the top spot in the world in sport sambo’s women’s +80kg division, according to the latest rankings released by the International Sambo Federation (FIAS).
Her meteoric rise to World No. 1 sees her leap an astonishing 11 spots, overtaking Kazakhstan’s former leader Arailym Abenova, who has now fallen to fifth.
Tancontian’s golden triumph at the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, earned her a massive 600 ranking points, which, added to her silver medal from last year’s tournament in Macau, worth 120 points, brought her total to 720.
The proud Davaoeña asserted her dominance on the mat, defeating heavyweights Maryia Kandratsyeva of Belarus and Olga Artoshina of Russia with determination and flair.Meanwhile, fellow Filipina Aislinn Yap continued her ascent in the global standings, climbing three spots to World No. 3 in the women’s -80kg combat sambo division. Yap’s recent gold medal in Tashkent propelled her to 920 points, tying her with Uzbekistan’s Mavluda Abdullaeva and placing her just 190 points behind reigning world champion Anzhela Gasparyan of Russia. Yap also made her mark in sport sambo, where she surged seven places to rank No. 16 in the women’s -80kg category.
Another Filipino sambo athlete, Jomary Torres, solidified her place at No. 11 in the women’s 50kg combat sambo class. Mariane Mariano made incremental gains, moving from No. 31 to No. 28 in the -59kg category. In a dramatic leap, Orlando Castillo soared an incredible 78 places to reach No. 22 in the men’s 64kg division. In the men’s 58kg division, Robin Catalan is now ranked 30th, with Janry Pamor close behind at No. 21.
