Maria Aisa Ratcliff (left) and Fierre Afan show off their medals at the 2023 United World Wrestling United World Grappling Asian Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
MANILA, Philippines-Fierre Afan and Maria Aisa Ratcliff came out with superior grappling techniques and grabbed two gold medals between them at the 2023 United World Wrestling United World Grappling Asian Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Showing tremendous poise and power, the 19-year-old Afan ruled both the junior grappling under-20 men’s 71kg No Gi and the 71kg Gi after sweeping all four rivals, including downing world champion Artem Khvan of Kazakhstan, 9-2, in the finals.
After his conquest of Khvan in the No Gi event, Afan took down another high-ranked grappler from the host country—Meiirbek Yeskazyyez via a 3-0 victory in the Gi before seizing a pair of silver medals in the senior 71kg class for both events.
Ratcliff, on the other hand, asserted her skills in the women’s senior 53kg category in both Gi and No Gi disciplines after defeating all four opponents underlined by a triumph over Kazakh Alina Kaskinova, 6-5, in the Gi event.
Overall, Team Philippines scooped four gold, five silver and two bronze medals, placing third overall among Asian nations behind Kazakhstan and Iran.
“Fierre beat a world champion. It’s a great performance and we’re happy with the results of our athletes, but we will not take a break and celebrate because we hope to bring this success in the coming world championships,” said Wrestling Association of the Philippines president Alvin Aguilar.
Lukie and Lucho Aguilar contributed to the success by bringing home two medals each. Lukie claimed the silvers in the No Gi and Gi boys’ under-17 while Lucho grabbed a silver in the No Gi and a bronze in the Gi under-15 division.
Other podium performers were bronze medalists Vince Ortiz (senior men’s Gi 62kg) and Michael Tabamo (men’s grappling 62kg).
“Our performance in this tournament will motivate more athletes to become world-class and aim to win gold every time they step on the mat,” said Aguilar.
Meanwhile, Lester del Rosario became the first Filipino international-licensed referee in both grappling and wrestling after participating in the Kazakhstan meet.