Sydney Sy Tancontian leads local sambists in PH hosting of Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships

Former world No. 1 Sydney Sy Tancontian is optimistic of a fruitful campaign as she headlines the Philippine team in the 2026 Asia-Oceania Sambo Championship slated June 23 to 28 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Tancontian, 26, goes all out for her fourth overall gold medal when she defends her women’s +80kg crown in the regional showpiece, which is expected to draw more than 500 elite delegates from 29 countries. Sydney made sure to balance her responsibilities, especially because she wants to perform well in front of her ‘kababayans.’ “Yong preparation po namin for this event nag-start pa last year, ‘yong sa akin naman po ay still have enough time para i-boost ‘yong preparation ko, I still have two months,” Tancontian told Manila Bulletin/Tempo after the official media launching of the competition at Century Park Hotel Manila Thursday, April 16. “And also magkakaroon po kami ng tuneup competitions, don ‘yong nilo-look forward namin para makuha namin ‘yong saktong peak namin during those days,” added Tancontian, who reigned in 2019 (India), ‘21 (Lebanon), and ‘25 (Uzbekistan) editions of Asia and Oceania Championships. Aside from Tancontian, world-class sambists Aislinn Agnes Yap is also joining the fray of Filipino bets who are set to compete in 72 events of the annual meet where powerhouse Uzbekistan and other Central Asia countries remain as teams to beat. “Siyempre may pressure pa rin po kasi maraming makakakita, and everyone wants to watch, kailangan galingan naming lahat para patuloy din ‘yong suporta,” continued Tancontian. “Kasi ‘yong panalo namin ‘di lang po para samin kundi pati na rin sa mga nangangarap gaya ko, lalo sa mga bata. I will try and do my best to make the Philippines proud,” she added. This event is crucial for Tancontian as she is currently at No. 5 and she must stick within the top two to qualify for the worlds where she aims to become the first-ever Filipina world champion. Also present at the media launch were Philippine Sambo Federation Inc. president Paolo Tancontian, Philippine Sports Commision chairman Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, PSC commissioner Fritz Gaston, and POC secretary-general Wharton Chan, all of whom expressed support for the competition, noting its potential to boost sports tourism while giving the youth exposure to international-level play. “Personally, I’ve seen the development of sambo here. It’s a sport that needs an exposure so here we are. Malaking hosting ‘to so we have to prepare for it, and matulungan ‘yong mga kababayan ma-explain kung ano ba ‘yong sambo,” said Gregorio. The Nationals finished sixth overall with two golds – one apiece from Sydney and Yap – and one silver in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last year.