Igorota teen clinches gold in World Muaythai Championships

Baguio City, Philippines – Cordillera is definitely a home of rising martial artists in the world.

For the past years, Cordilleran martial artists have conquered the international stage and brought home glory not just to the region but to the country. The latest of these fighters is Lyre Anie Ngina who shined in the recently-conducted 2024 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Youth World Championships.

Said competition held in Bangkok, Thailand on September 12 – 19 is regarded as one of the largest tournaments in Muaythai, drawing over 3,000 participants from 93 countries.

Ngina who hails from Sagada, Mt. Province and is currently studying at Baguio City National High School won gold in the Wai Kru event. She fought against Ukraine’s Anastasia Yevtushenko in the 12-13 girls’ division final.

Despite the tight match, Ngina outperformed her opponent and won the match, 8.60 to 8.50.

According to the teen athlete, the IFMA Youth World Championships is her first international exposure, and it has always been her dream to step onto the world stage and represent the Philippines.

Now that she is out of her shell and experienced playing for the country, she conveyed her gratitude to the people who have always ‘believed, helped, and supported’ her as her journey on the global stage was not easy.

“And I'm happy that I made it, we made it!!!” she wrote on her Facebook.