(L-R) Actor RR Herrera, Raphael ‘Rapha’ Herrera and National coach Engene Dagohoy

By Edwin Rollon

Filipino karatekas, led by rising standout Raphael 'Rapha' Herrera, are gearing up for a stern test in the prestigious Karate One Youth League, with the tournament serving as a major opportunity to showcase the country’s emerging talents on the world stage.

The Philippine national judo team delivered a strong showing on the international stage, capturing six gold medals at the recently concluded Penang Invitational Judo Championships held at Sunshine Central in Penang, Malaysia, over the weekend.

The Philippines is set to make history as it hosts the 2026 Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the very first time, from June 23 to 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.