UST Tiger Judoka Chino Sy and former Lady Judoka Aislinn Yap bagged two gold medals for the Philippine team in the 2024 Grand Prix de Sambo de Paris at the Stade Charley in Paris, France on Saturday, June 1.
Sy amassed 10 points after sweeping the men’s senior under-98 kg category en route to the gold medal, while Yap, a former UAAP gold medalist, tallied seven points built on two wins to nab gold in the women’s senior under-80 kg division.
Sy, the UAAP Season 85 men’s judo MVP, outclassed France’s Dimitri Khoudoian, 8-1, in the first round before pulling off a clean 8-0 win against Switzerland’s Pedro da Vega in the next round.
The Tiger Judoka then outpointed another hometown native, Didier Biansomba, in the third round to complete the sweep and secure the gold.
“Chino always proves na he can deliver anywhere and anytime, kahit judo o sambo man,” UST coach Gerard Arce told the Varsitarian. “He always tries to excel and give extra effort para makapag-training.”
In the women’s senior under-80 kg category, Yap won against France’s Lascourbas via armbar submission in the first round before toppling French native, Joannie Delbar, 4-1, in the second round to seal the gold medal.
Arce said that Yap is set to return to the Lady Judokas as part of the coaching staff once a slot becomes available.
“She will be a big help training with the Lady Judokas, most especially sa mga rookies,” Arce said. “Wala pang contract right now kasi wala pang slot for coaching staff sa UST, parang more of project-based lang and may usapan na naman kaming dalawa together with two other alumni na tumutulong sa team.”
Pro MMA fighter Mark Streigl also nabbed bronze for the Philippines in the men’s senior under-71 kg division after thumping Maxime Dubois-Millot in the bronze-medal match.
