Hergie Bacyadan wins gold in 2024 Asian Kickboxing after China backs out

Tabuk City, Kalinga – After his success in wushu, vovinam, and boxing, Paris 2024 Olympian Hergie Bacyadan marked a milestone in international kickboxing with a gold win.

Bacyadan who hails from Taloctoc, Tanudan took the ring in the K1 – 70 kg women division of the 2024 Asian Kickboxing Championship from October 6 – 13 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The multi-sport athlete advanced to the finals after defeating Samnang Raksa of the host country via technical knockout. The Kalinga pride only needed 49 seconds of the first round to claim victory.

Bacyadan then proceeded to the gold medal match on October 12 where the Olympian snatched the most coveted medal via abandonment after opponent Teng Jinwei of China backed out in the final bout.

It could be recalled that Bacyadan, during her interview with GURU Press Cordillera in his Hero’s Welcome last September 9 in Kalinga, manifested for a gold medal in the Asian Kickboxing competition despite limited time to train.

Though he mentioned that any medal would do, he made it to the top.

Bacyadan, in every opportunity to play in the international kickboxing ring, always carries with him his Tanudan and Kalinga roots.

In the weeklong competition, the Philippine delegates bagged a total of 5 gold medals, 1 silver, and 10 bronze.