Combat Wrestling Gains Ground as Filipino Athletes Eye Global Competition

By Lucio Gabor

A new contact sport is emerging in the Philippines, with local officials confident that Filipino athletes—known for their natural talent, mobility, and strength—can excel in the international combat wrestling scene.

Karlo Sevilla III, president of the fledgling Combat Wrestling Philippines, Inc. (CWP), said combat wrestling is more than an ordinary sport, as it also develops an athlete’s ability to think strategically and defend against possible attackers.

“It’s very similar to regular wrestling, but combat wrestling is more about strategy and technique in grappling and submission,” Sevilla said during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) “Usapang Sports” forum Thursday at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room in Malate, Manila.

Sevilla, a former secretary-general of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP), explained that each bout consists of a single five-minute round, giving athletes limited time to score points or subdue their opponents.

“Just one short, five-minute round is all you have to think about how to subdue your opponent. That’s the challenge you have to take,” Sevilla said.

The sport has been gaining interest at the grassroots level. In the latest tournament organized by WAP last month, more than 100 boys and girls competed across different age categories.

Among the promising athletes is John Andrei Samadio, who successfully defended his 73-kilogram title and earned another opportunity to compete abroad this year.

“Ganoon po kabilis [ang exposure]. Kasi nung una kami ni Coach noong 2024, nagkaroon ng dagdag na sumali last year at nitong 2026, sobrang dami talaga ang naging curious sa combat wrestling,” Samadio said during the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine and Pocari Sweat.

“Sa totoo lang po, during our last campaign, self-funded kami. This time, hoping kami na may mga tutulong sa amin, although hindi pa namin nakukuha ang sanction ng PSC at POC,” he added.

Sevilla credited the sport’s growing popularity to grassroots competitions such as “Buno sa Angono: Combat Wrestling and Takedown Challenge,” held at the Angono Municipal Gym.

“We had almost 100 participants from 20 divisions across all ages. Since 2024, Andrei’s parents have been organizing takedown or simplified wrestling competitions, but they have expanded it into combat wrestling,” Sevilla said.

He added that many of the participants came from Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) groups and Palarong Pambansa competitions. The president of Combat Wrestling Asia also attended the event to show support.

Sevilla said he hopes greater support will allow Filipino athletes to compete internationally and help introduce more young athletes to the sport.

“Sana mabigyan ng suporta para mairepresenta ang bansa natin. Kailangan maging successful at gusto ko rin tulungan ang mga bata na makapaglaro ng combat wrestling at matutong walang iniisip na iba,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Filipino athletes can compete with and even surpass foreign competitors through proper training and exposure.

“Kayang-kaya naman natin ang mga foreign athletes kasi iba’t iba ang diskarte sa training at iba’t iba ang knowledge sa techniques kung paano tayo magpapakondisyon. Alam ko kaya tayong mag-excel, di lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo,” Sevilla said.