Divine Wally has made history by becoming the first Filipina to win gold medal in an international Sanda competition.
Sanda or Sanshou Sanda is a martial art which was originally developed by the Chinese military based upon the study and practices of traditional Kung fu and modern combat fighting techniques.
Wally’s kicks and punches won over Luan Thi Hoang of Vietnam and Farida Elsodany of Egypt en route to a gold medal finish in the 8th Sanda World Cup, reported Sun Star.
It will be the fourth time Wally and Hoang squared off with each other with the Baguio girl winning all their math-up, the report said.
Wally and Hoang first saw action against each other in 2013 during the Asian Junior Wushu Championships, then in Indonesia during the World Championships, and another in Taiwan, said the news portal.
“Sya yung pinaka mahirap ko pa ring nagging opponent as we had seen each other four times already. I am blessed my trainings are always working against her,” Wally reportedly quipped.
Team mate Arnel Mandal of IloIlo added another gold after winning against Gunawan Gunawan of Indonesia and Uchit Sharma in the final round, the report said.
Kalinga’s Hergie Bacyadan clinched the silver as she succumbed to Iran’s Sharyana Monsoryan after outclassing Egyptian Walamosa in their semi-finals match.
Francis Solis reportedly failed to India in his first fight but added a bronze to the team’s medal haul.
The 8th Sanda World Cup held in Xian, China was sanctioned by the International Wushu Federation and attracted 72 athletes from 27 countries and regions that competed in the 18 men’s and women’s categories of sanda.
Before the Sanda world Cup, Wally took home a gold in the 2016 Asian Wushu Championship, reported Sun Star.
