Philippines, 20 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pinoy Wrestlers grapple for Olympic slots


PhilBoxing.com


Three of the finest Filipino wrestlers will have to make the most out of the coming World Wrestling Championships in order to make it to this year?s Olympic Games in London this coming July.

Wrestling Association of the Philippines secretary general Karlo Sevilla announced that grapplers Margarito Angana, Jason Balabal and Alvin Lobreguito are entered in the world tourney set April 26-31 in Beijing in the hope of joining five other Filipino athletes who had earlier made it to London earlier.

?There still one more Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled before the Olympic Games, but because of the financial constraints, since that competition is scheduled in Finland, we in WAP believe we might not afford sending them there,? Sevilla said during last week?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.

According to Sevilla, chances of the three Filipino strongmen brightened up despite their failure to survive three earlier qualifying competitions simply because some 34 from 14 countries have earned slots.

?Kumbaga, wala na ang mga sobrang malalakas na wrestlers na magpa-participate. So malaki na ang pagasa nesting ma-qualify,? he reasoned out.
Angana, a 55-kilogram campaigner, should he again failed to make it, still have a chance to join the Finland qualifier, according to Sevilla.

?Angana, you see, along with few other athletes, is a scholar under the International Olympic Committee Solidarity program and his plan is to use his $5,000 a month stipend as such to go to Finland,? Sevilla said.
?He himself told us that he?s been saving his IOC monthly honorarium in order to use it for his trip to Finland,? the WAP secgen told his audience during the SCOOP session, sponsored by Powerade, AKTV and FILA.

Sevilla disclosed that although wrestling belongs to list of priority sports under the Philippine Sports Commission policy, WAP?s P10 million subsidy is not enough to shoulder the expenses to be incurred by the trio in Finland in terms of plane fares, allowances and board and lodging.

?Part of the subsidy goes to athletes? international exposure and training, kaya short-handed talaga kami,? he said. ?Often times nga delayed ba ang release n gaming request for assistance.?

Angana and company, accompanied by national coach Roel Pacional, actually are in Beijing for the past three weeks honing up their skills for the World Championships scheduled in the same Chinese capital.

With their training stint in China plus a relatively weakened competitors, we are crossing our fingers that kahit isa lang sa kanila ay ma-qualify,? Sevilla said.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.