MANILA – Hayden Ancheta and Andre Dargani delivered statement victories to headline a dominant showing for San Francisco State RTC at the Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP) National and Youth Championships held at the Tagaytay Combat Sports Center.
Ancheta capped his perfect campaign in the Senior National Championships with authority, flooring Morphy Modne of the Ifugao Wrestling Team via Fall in the 57kg finals to complete a flawless 6-0 run.
Dargani followed suit in emphatic fashion, outclassing national pool bet Andrei Morgan of Mandaluyong City via Superiority to clinch the 74kg crown and finish unbeaten at 4-0. His path to gold included a marquee triumph over grappling world champion Fierre Proudhon Afan.
“This victory means a lot because it shows that Filipino wrestling continues to grow stronger every year,” WAP president Alvin Aguilar said. “The level of competition this season proves that our athletes are ready for bigger international challenges.”
Gabe Dinette joined the spotlight with a rare double-gold feat, sweeping the 86kg freestyle and 82kg Greco-Roman brackets with a spotless 6-0 slate. He capped his run with decisive wins over Neonards Cervantes and Andrew Bercasio, both via Superiority.
The seniors division also produced standout champions in Ronil Tubog (65kg freestyle), Joe Fer Callado (67kg Greco-Roman), and Jason Baucas, who secured 77kg Greco-Roman gold and added a silver at 82kg.
On the women’s side, Aliah Rose Galvez ruled the 53kg class, while Miriam Grace Balisme struck gold in the U23 62kg and took silver in the U20 68kg. Rea Grace Cervantes settled for silver in the 68kg seniors.
Rising stars also shone bright in the youth bracket. Princess Akeisha Reuma scored a Technical Superiority win over Janelle Pido in the U13 finals, while Angelo Lucian Salud (U17 80kg) and Yani Alexii Lopez (U15 46kg) claimed titles. Deftac Marikina’s Johnroe Malazarte swept both freestyle and Greco-Roman U15 44kg divisions to emerge as one of the event’s most promising young grapplers.
Drawing hundreds of wrestlers nationwide, the tournament not only produced champions but also underscored WAP’s momentum in pushing wrestling as one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing combat sports./PN
