Lakay Central, YMCA top 40th Grappling Cup

LOCKED. Lakay Central Gym’s Dalemarie Mayos attempts to submit his opponent during the Team Lakay 40th Grappling Cup on March 3 at the YMCA gym in Baguio City. (Team Lakay File Photo)

YMCA Baguio/CCDC surprised the field with its six gold medals including three silvers and 2 bronze medals although it fell short behind Lakay Central Gym for a decent second-place finish overall in the 40th Grappling Cup during the weekend.

Andro Kienh Cudao led YMCA after bagging the gold in the seniors male 72-79 kg novice category with Rizaldy Rivera adding another gold in the seniors male 65-71 kg-novice while Klein Ashrell Sudango topped the seniors male 50kg below.

Zhil Castiel Corpuz (kids male 9 yrs old below), Adrian Seth Arorong (kids male 10-12 74-80 kg), and

Cyrus Kendrick Aniban (kids male 13-15 yrs old 67-73 kg) dominated their respective divisions en route to bagging gold medals.

Grapplers from Lakay Central gym continue to dominate the event grabbing seven medals, four bronze, and three bronze medals in Team Lakay’s 40th staging of the event which serves as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills and compete against some of the best grapplers in the region.

Leading the charge for Lakay Central grapplers who won gold medals in their respective weight classes are Hyuma Zan Sibaen, Aeyesha Raven Bantasan, Vincent Bangwa, Ralph Cervantes, Dalemarie Mayos, Jerlyn Kingad, and Ezra Saclag.

Gridlock Overlimit meanwhile scooped five gold medals and two silver for a third-place finish led by Allysa Lapastora, Kurt Lawrence Wagayan, Wren Lumidao, John Louis Ramos, and Kurt Lawrence Wagayan.

Ronin Checkmat had four gold medals, six silver, and three bronze to finish fourth overall.

Quads Furukawa MMA meanwhile took home three gold, two silvers, and three bronze medals in the one-day competition.

Kaitagi Judo Club also went home with three golds, and one silver while Santolian Warriors, San Gebo Elyu, and Builders Gym all went home with one gold medal a piece.

At least 20 teams with close to 200 grapplers joined the event showcasing their technical prowess, strength, and agility, spectators can expect high-octane action and thrilling matches throughout the tournament.

The grappling cup is one of the few events of Team Lakay in partnership with YMCA as part of their commitment to reaching out to the grassroots level and providing opportunities for aspiring grapplers to hone their skills and compete on a larger stage.

A MOA was also signed and led by Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao and YMCA president Dennis Basal, Secretary-General Rev. Robert Baris Sison, and other board of directors for the staging of grappling tournaments. ### (PR)