Philippines' Islay Erika Bomogao now world’s no. 1 in Muay Thai ranking
Pinoy pride!
Filipina athlete Islay Erika Bomogao ranked no. 1 in the world in the -45kg female elite category of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) ranking, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
"Saludo kami sa iyong husay! Pinatunayan mong #BidaAngBayaningManlalaro!" the PSC wrote in the caption.
Bomogao beat Australia's Sarah Kwa via unanimous decision in a match held in Kenwick, Australia earlier this month.
Bomogao has been doing martial arts at Team Lakay, one of the top mixed martial arts gyms in Asia, since she was 15.
According to the Muaythai Association of the Philippines, she became a world gold medalist during the 2018 International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) Youth World Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand. She also clinched gold at the Jincheon 1st World Youth Martial Arts Masterships in 2017 in Jincheon, South Korea.
When asked what she loves the most about the sport, Bomogao said, "Muaythai is an awesome and effective martial art. It builds your self-confidence and teaches you to remain calm. It makes you become a happier person, and it teaches you how to love yourself."
She added, "But what I love most about Muaythai is that it gives you a great physique as 'strong and healthy is the new 'sexy!'"
The Pinay athlete, who is also a licensed secondary teacher, became the first Filipino female world Muay Thai champion when she bagged two medals in the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. In the competition, she topped the senior female elite 45kg category and bagged silver in the senior female Wai Kru (boxing dance) category.
In the same year, she won silver at Individual Female Wai Kru at the 2023 World Combat Games in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.