Young Ilonggo wrestler, team PHL shine in World Grappling Championships

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

An Ilonggo who is a member of the Philippine Youth Wrestling team just impressed the world with his outstanding performance during the recently concluded United World Wrestling (UWW) Junior and Cadets World Grappling Championships.

David Zaldarriaga of Iloilo City delivered two medals and turned heads in the Cadets’ 42-kg category.

Zaldarriaga capped off his stellar run with a silver medal finish in the Gi event and a bronze medal in the No-Gi event held at the Ufa Arena in Ufa, Russia.

Aside from Zaldarriaga, his teammates Gabriel del Rosario, Alonso Lucas Aguilar, Joaquin Antonio Marte, and Fierre Afan also had decent finishes in Russia.

Del Rosario dominated in his division and was able to take home two silver medals for the Philippines while Aguilar bagged two bronze medals in the Cadets’ 50-kg.

Meanwhile, Marte produced the same number of bronze medals as Aguilar in the Cadets’ 58-kg category while Afan had a lone bronze in the Cadets’ 85-kg.

“These kids grew and matured into teenagers that gave the Wrestling Association of the Philippines their best results ever in its history of international competition. Three silvers and six bronze medals to finish third overall. Yes, you guys placed the Philippines on the map as we trained you to do ever since you were little,” said Philippine Wrestling Federation (PWF) president Alvin Aguilar.