BOMOGAO NOW A WORLD MUAY THAI CHAMP DESPITE MISSING SEAG

May 20, 2023 Community Billboard

Photo Caption: FILIPINA DOMINATES MUAYTHAI WORLD – Islay Erika Bomogao won gold in the 45kg category during the International Federation of Muaythai Associations World Senior Championships 2023 held at Bangkok, Thailand. Islay is the first ever Filipina Muaythai World Champion. Mayor Magalong, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, members of the city council congratulated her during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Baguio City Hall grounds.

Photo by Neil Clark Ongchangco

When a door closes, another one opens, the Bible says. This is the case for Islay Erika Bomogao, who was disappointed when she missed the Southeast Asian Games when the event was not included by host Cambodia. The pretty daughter of a local councilor, however, now could be one of the happiest athletes when she unleashed her fury and became a world champion aside from winning a silver in the more graceful component of the Thai martial arts.

“It was so awesome and very unexpected,” cried the 23 year old daughter of Baguio councilor Benny Bomogao when she ruled the senior female elite 45 kilogram category while also placing second in waikru. The Philippine team was impressive as they took another gold, two more silver medals and a bronze to improve from last year’s version of the 2023 IFMA World Championships in Bangkok,
Thailand. “I did not join the SEAGames but at least I joined a world championship which is a direct qualifier to the World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this October,” said Bomogao who arrived home last Sunday night.

Her father, councilor Benny Bomoao, and some of his colleagues even made a pit stop in Dagupan, Pangasinan last week to watch her defeat a much taller Russian fighter advanced to the finals. “I am so small,” she wrote on a post on Facebook after her win against the Russian. “We made a stop so we can watch her fight,” admitted councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr., who was with the older Bomogao and councilor Lilia Farinas. They came from Alaminos, Bolinao for the city council and staff benchmarking. Bomogao said that she will take a brief rest from training and return to prepare for the Riyadh games.

Six other Filipino muay Thai artists won during the Bangkok hosted event where Rhichein Yosorez and Kylie Mallari also finished with a gold medal in the under-23 Mai Muay event. Johnden Jr Aldana captured silver in the senior male 18-24 Wai Kru event, while another Cordilleran, AJ Lamadrid likewise brought home a silver medal after finishing in second place in the under 23 female Wai Kru. Adelle Rosales 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.

In a post, the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines wrote: “We are incredibly proud to announce that Islay Erika Bomogao has made history by becoming the First Filipina Muay thai World Champion at the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championship! Her dedication and hard work have paid off, and she has proven that Filipinas are a force to be reckoned with in the world of combat sports.” Bomogao, the federation added, “has been an inspiration to all the young women who aspire to be champions in the sport of Muaythai.

With her remarkable skills and unwavering determination, she has shattered the glass ceiling and made a name for herself on the world stage. She has truly set the bar high for female athletes everywhere, showing that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.” It concluded: “The Philippine muay Thai community could not be more prouder of Islay Erika Bomogao’s incredible achievement. She has shown the world that the Philippines is a powerhouse when it comes to combat sports and that Filipino athletes are among the best in the world.” Philip Delarmino won the same title in 2020.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN