THE Philippine Sambo Federation, popularly known as Pilipinas Sambo, will form part of the Baikal Cup slated on September 5 in Irkutsk, Russia.
After the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) approved the group's membership application on July 4 which officially made it a National Sports Association (NSA), Pilipinas Sambo went back to work and is set to make its second overseas stint following its sterling performance in the Southeast Asia Championship in Indonesia last April.
Pilipinas Sambo president lawyer Paolo Claudio, in a Facebook chat with Sun.Star Davao, said they will field a six-member delegation that will be headed by Darren Evangelista and coach Ace Larida.
Asian Games wushu gold medalist Rene Catalan, Robin Catalan, Patrick Paul Manicad and Laurio Sulpiano are the fighters on deck.
Claudio, however, left a message to the Russia-bound fighters, saying: "Make a mark, make an impression in Russia that Filipinos are world-class in combat sports. You are already heroes representing the country, make us proud and bring home the medals."
Fielding athletes to compete abroad is just among the programs of Pilipinas Sambo which aims to promote the sport among the grassroots and produce world-class fighters.
