From Bronze to Gold: Aislinn Agnes Yap’s Journey into Combat SAMBO

When Aislinn Agnes Yap stood atop the podium, gold medal in hand, it wasn’t just a victory – it was the culmination of years of hard work, adaptation, and quiet determination. Representing the Philippines, Yap claimed the top spot at her third Asia&Oceania SAMBO Championships. And today she is preparing to compete at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu (China). Her story is one of steady, relentless progress.

“It’s been a difficult journey to get here,” she says, still catching her breath after the medal ceremony. “In my first championship, I got bronze. Then last year, silver. And now, finally – gold. Step by step.”

What makes her achievement even more impressive is that Aislinn Agnes only began competing in Combat SAMBO last year. A seasoned judoka with nearly two decades of experience, she first stepped onto the SAMBO mat in 2022 in the Sport discipline. But it didn’t take long for her coaches to recognize she had the potential for more.

“My teammates and coaches taught me how to strike. They saw that I could do well in combat, and signed me up for my first Combat SAMBO competition last year.”

Combat SAMBO, a more aggressive and physically demanding variant of the sport, was a fresh challenge for the athlete.

“I’ve been doing martial arts since I was eight years old. That’s 18 years now,” she says. “So trying something new like Combat SAMBO – where you can be a little more aggressive, where you can let out more strength – it was exciting. I really enjoy it.”

Her second year in Combat SAMBO brought tougher competition and new experiences. In her gold-medal matches, Aislinn Agnes faced formidable opponents – including one from Central Asia who had a height advantage.

“It was my first time fighting someone taller than me. I wasn’t fully prepared for that. I’m usually the same height or taller than my opponents. But I’m thankful I managed to adjust and win.”

Despite her achievements in Combat SAMBO, Aislinn Agnes describes herself as a pacifist at heart.

“It’s kind of ironic,” she laughs. “I’m a very soft, kind person. I’m only aggressive on the mat. Outside, I’m really gentle.”

That gentle side is evident in her day-to-day life. When she’s not training or competing, Aislinn Agnes works as a judo coach at a gym in the Philippines, where she teaches young children and adults. She hopes to introduce her students to SAMBO as well.

“I tell them I compete for the national team in a very interesting sport. They get curious. Maybe one day I can bring them into SAMBO too.”

As for what’s next, Aislinn Agnes remains grounded.

“Even though I got gold, I know I still have a lot to improve on. I’ll keep training, study my mistakes, and see how I can do better.”

In an increasingly competitive field, Aislinn Agnes Yap stands out not just for her talent, but for her humility and willingness to evolve. From judo to SAMBO, and from bronze to gold – her journey has only just begun.