Islay Erika Bomogao holds up her gold and silver medals from the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships. –MAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Led by Islay Erika Bomogao, seven Filipino Muay Thai artists triumphed in the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bomogao, a product of Team Lakay, clinched two medals after ruling the senior female elite 45kg category while also snagging silver in the senior female Wai Kru (boxing dance) category.
According to the Muaythai Association of the Philippines, Bomogao is the first Filipino female world Muay Thai champion.
The duo of Rhichein Yosorez and Kylie Mallari also finished with a gold medal in the under-23 Mai Muay event while Johnden Jr Aldana captured silver in the senior male 18-24 Wai Kru event.
AJ Lamadrid likewise brought home a silver medal after finishing in second place in the under 23 female Wai Kru.
AdelleRosales and LJ Rafael Yasay tied for the silver medal in the under 23 Male Mai Muay with the latter also snatching a third-place finish in the male under-23 51kg category.
The Philippines showed a huge leap from its performance in Abu Dhabi last year.
In the 2022 Senior World Championships, the Philippines only captured a silver and two bronze medals.