MANILA, Philippines — Filipina Yani Alexii Lopez made another sampling of her grappling prowess under the most challenging circumstances, powering the Philippine team to a second-place finish in the 2026 United World Wrestling (UWW) Asian & Oceania Grappling Championships that took place in Danang, Vietnam recently.
The 16-year-old Lopez who was forced to fight three divisions higher than what she used to be, proved she can do it just the same.
“I am thrilled to bring another continental gold medal home to the Philippines!” the two-time Asian champion Lopez said in a Facebook post.
In Danang, Lopez fought in the 57kg class, three divisions higher than the 44kg division where she used to fight in.
But she did not disappoint anyone when she defeated Alison Mae Nicolson of Malaysia in the women’s 57 kgs final, 2-1, to capture the gold medal. Prior to the gold medal round, Lopez beat Malaysian Liyanne Hedger, 1-0, in the semifinal round.
“Jumping up 3 divisions from 44 kg to 57 kg was an unexpected challenge, and I am blessed to take the top spot on the podium,” added Lopez, giving thanks her family, her parents, and whose who in the organization.
“Thank you to God for keeping me safe and for all His blessings. Thank you to my family, especially my parents—for your unwavering support. Thank you to Chief Alvin Aguilar for your trust, for giving me the courage to compete 3 weight classes higher than mine, and for coaching me,” she stated.
Lopez also extended her gratefulness to Prof. Maybelline Masuda for ‘coaching me during the finals and being there for me,’ Prof. Michael Sayson Tabamo ‘for your constant guidance and mentorship,’ to coach Bill Sullivan ‘for rapidly improving my wrestling, refocusing me before matches, and showing my dad and me around Vietnam.
Lopez did not forget the very coach who taught her during wrestling classes – coach Melchor Tumasis, and coach Emily Buyco for managing the team Philippines in the three-day Danang event that featured diverse lineup of athletes from across the region.
“Thank you to my training partners at PSC for helping me work on my wrestling. Thank you to my training partners at Deftac HQ—especially the big boys, for partnering up with me and helping me train grappling efficiently. Thanks for being my gym big brothers,” Lopez added. " Lopez is actually one of the five gold winners in Danang, the four others Charlie Ratcliff (56 kg), Travis Ratcliff (62 kg), Abe Del Rosario (57 kg), and Denzel Alipio (62 kg).
These five gold medals that went with two silvers (Lucas Aguilar, 66kg, and Nathaniel Nama, 63kg), and the three bronze medals courtesy of Alo Turingan (73kg), Lucian Salud (76kg) and Joaquin Marte (66kg) were enough to propel Team Philippines to second overall in the team standings.
Kazakhstan copped the most titles with 17 gold medals, 10 silvers, and five bronze medals. TMT