Islay Erika Bomogao and LJ Rafael Yasay secured gold medals in muay at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Bomogao edged out a Thai opponent in the women's -45kg division, while Yasay delivered a knockout victory over a Malaysian in the men's -51kg. Their wins offered hope to Filipinos amid losses in other combat sports.
At the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 17, 2025, Philippine athletes showcased their prowess in muay. Islay Erika Bomogao, a 25-year-old Igorot from Cordillera, clinched a 29-28 decision victory over Thailand's Arissara Noon-Eiad in the women's -45kg final. "I’m really happy because I won versus the host country. My opponent is a superstar here, so it feels so nice to finally beat someone at that level," Bomogao said. She added, "I’m really happy to give hope to the Filipino people, that even though the situation is what it is, there are miracles. We can do it. We can win against the host country." This came after several Filipino losses to Thai opponents in boxing and other combat sports.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old LJ Rafael Yasay delivered a swift second-round knockout against Malaysia's Insyad Rumijam in the men's -51kg bout. "I stopped school for almost two, three years now. I devoted all my time in being an athlete. But of course, I’ll go back to school," Yasay said, having sacrificed academic pursuits to focus on muay.
The Philippine muay team amassed 11 medals overall: two golds from Bomogao and Yasay, one silver for Tyron Jamborillo in men's -45kg (defeated by Thailand's Krittanu Saladkaew), and eight bronzes from Mark Jeremy Balmoris (men's -54kg), Floryvic Montero (women's -51kg), Rudzma Abubakar (women's -48kg), Jan Brix Ramiscal (men's -48kg), Ejay Galendez (men's -60kg), Philip Delarmino (men's individual waikru), and Mathew Blane Comicho (men's -67kg). Bomogao also earned bronze in women's individual waikru. These achievements highlight Filipino resilience on foreign soil, especially in the sport's birthplace.
