Islay Erika Bomogao, The Philippines’ top Muay athlete, advanced to the gold medal match of women's 45kg Muay after a rather "controversial" ending in the semifinals.
BANGKOK — Islay Bomogao had her hand raised in the women’s Muay 45kg semifinals at the SEA Games 2025, but there was an air of confusion after her Vietnamese opponent walked out of the ring before the third round at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Bomogao, the country’s top Muay athlete, was leading after two rounds on the judges score cards, 20-18. However, the coach of Mai Hoang Khanh threw a water bottle to into the ring, apparently not happy with the result.
Shortly after, Khanh and her whole corner walked out of the ring to forfeit the match, sending Bomogao into the gold medal match on Wednesday, December 17.
After the bout, Bomogao admitted that she didn’t really understand what was happening with her opponent's camp.
“First round binigay po sakin, second round binigay sakin, so pagdating ng third round, di ko pa alam yung nangyayari. Nag-forfeit po ata yung kalaban,” said Bomogao.
“Syempre, masaya po kasi hindi na ko magt-third round pero na-confuse po ako bakit,” she added.
Moving on, Islay will face home bet Arissara Noon-Eiad in the gold medal match.
Bomogao joins two others in a bid for the top step of the podium on the final day of Muay competition here on Wednesday, December 17.
Islay earlier won a bronze medal for senior women’s Wai Kru, where she was also joined by men’s bronze medalist Phillip Delarmino.
Among those competing alongside Bomogao for the gold medal are Tyron Jamborillo and LJ Rafael Yasay, who trounced their respective opponents in the 45kg and 51kg divisions of the men’s events.
Meanwhile, women’s fighter Floryvic Montero faltered in her semifinal against Malaysia’s Nur Amisha Binti Azrilrizal in the women’s 51kg, settling for the bronze medal.
In the last fight of the day, Mathew Blane Comicho was defeated in his semifinal match by Thailand's Abdolmalek Thingnamrob to also end up with the bronze.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.