3 Pinoys attain world ranking

THREE Filipino national athletes barged into the latest professional rankings released by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA).

Southeast Asian Games medalists Ariel Lee Lampacan, Jenelyn Olsim and Ryan Jakiri made it to the top 10 of their respective weight divisions.

Lampacan, whose inspirational life story came out during the 30th SEA Games, landed on No. 7 in the male bantamweight (54 kilogram) category.

“I’m very happy with the rankings. I want to thank my coaches, teammates and bosses for helping me in everything. I hope I will be on top one day,” the 21-year-old fighter told TheManilaTimes in an online interview.

Lampacan went through humble beginnings as a teenage miner in Baguio City before digging his first SEA Games gold medal with a gutsy victory over Sakchai Chamchi of Thailand. Olsim, who snared a silver mint in the biennial meet, also took the No. 7 spot in the female bantamweight division.

“I never expected to enter the rankings because I was just starting to join international fights compared to the others in the list. All we did was just train and compete,” Olsim told TheManilaTimes.

“I’m grateful to my coaches, MAP (Muaythai Association of the Philippines) family and my grassroot team Tribal Torogi for supporting and choosing me to participate in competitions. Without their sacrifices, I will not be included in this,” she added. SEA Games silver winner Jakiri wound up at No. 8 in the male super lightweight (63.5 kg) group.

The three ranked fighters were part of the Philippine team that nabbed three golds, four silvers and two bronzes in the regional tilt’s Muaythai competition which was held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.