City officials recently congratulated and commended Baguio’s pride Islay Erika Asiong Bomogao, the first Filipina female Muay Thai world champion, for winning the 45-kilogram Domination 30 bout against Sarah Kwa, Muay Thai State champion of Australia, held last August 10, 2024, Kenwick, Western Australia and now ranked No. 1 worldwide by the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) in her division.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, local legislators stated that Islay made history as the first Filipina female Muay Thai fighter to become a world champion, thus, the city government felicitates with her as she reaps success and distinguishes herself as an outstanding female athlete achiever, proudly waving the city’s flag, the place of vibrant culture with inspiring landscape supportive of sports activities.
At present, Islay is now ranked No. 1 worldwide by the international federation of Muay Thai Associations in the 45-kilogram division.
Earlier, Bomogao was proclaimed the winner over Sarah Kwan, Muay Thai State champion of Australia, in the 45-kilogram Domination 30 bout held last August 10, 2024 at Kenwick, Western Australia.
Born and bred in Baguio City, the young veteran in the international Muay Thai competitions is the first Filipina Muay Thai world champion.
In 2023, Bomogao won the gold medal in the World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand held last May 3-14, 2023.
She likewise won the silver medal in the women’s Waikru event 2023 World Combat Games held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last October 20-30, 2023.
Further, the local female combat fighter competed in Greece in July 2024 for the World Muay Thai championships also by IFMA and settled for bronze in the combat 45-kilogram division and one silver each in the Muay Thai and Waikru events.
In 2017, she bagged the gold medal in the 1st World martial Arts Masterships in Incheon, South Korea.
Among her other medals are two silver medals during the 2019 East Asian Muay Thai championships; two gold medals and one bronze medal in the 2021 IFMA World Muay Thai championships. She was also declared a champion in the 45-kilogram combat senior division, one silver medal in the individual Waikru and was awarded as Best Senior Female Nak Muay in the 2022 Philippine National Muay Thai championships.
The council pointed that all the honors and accolades earned by Bomogao exhibited a high degree of standards of a female athlete and brought high honors not only for herself and her family but also to the city and the Cordillera and of the entire nation.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to Bomogao for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
