Delarmino caps ‘world’ stint with another gold

Philip Delarmino capped his scintillating performance in the International Federation of Muaythai Associations World Muay Thai Championships in Phuket, Thailand, with another gold medal around his neck.

After striking gold in the finale of the men’s elite 57-kilogram category that paved the way for his qualification to the 2022 World Games, Delarmino again went atop the medal podium, this time with Islay Erika Bomogao in the coed mai muay event.

Bomogao earlier seized the female waikru gold while Aldrich Toralba claimed the silver medal in the waikru male, jacking up the final medal tally of Team Bagsik to three golds, a silver and two bronzes.

“We expected more medals, but we are very proud of the accomplishments of the team overall,’’ Muay Thai Association of the Philippines secretary general Pearl Managuelod told the Inquirer.

Bomogao likewise pocketed a bronze medal in the under-23 female elite 45kg together with Rudzma Abubakar, who placed third in the under-23 female elite 48kg.

Mai muay is a choreographed dance event while waikru is the muay dance. Both events are full medal disciplines in the world championships.

Delarmino, the country’s premier muay fighter, grabbed a spot to the 2022 World Games on July 7 to 17 next year in Birmingham, Alabama, along with Aleksandr Abramov of Russia, who the 31-year-old from Iloilo City defeated in the finals.

“We are hoping to qualify two more athletes in the World Games. We will host a regional qualifier here sometime in March. It’s a Super 4 format with three other countries,’’ said Managuelod.

The local muay thai association is looking at sending Filipino fighters in the 48kgs and 51kgs female categories.