Pinay muay champion athletes headlined the latest episode of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) web series “Rise Up Shape Up” last Saturday. The episode spotlighted 24 women and girl athletes who bagged gold medals in the different categories of the sport during the 7th Women’s Martial Arts Festival, which was also spearheaded by the PSC in July.

Stories of the gold medalists Atasha Althea Amoguis from General Santos City (10-year old category), Keith Margareth Balinas (11-year old category,) Jasmine Dagame of Taytay, Rizal (12-year old category), Neeve Jolie of General Santos City (13-year old category), Rhyzel Chen Sevilleno of General Santos City (14-year old category), Chelsea Bulfa of General Santos City (15-year old category), Jahaziel Care Barbero of Davao City (16-year old category) and Jamila Alawi of Davao City (18-year old category), were among those featured.

A special segment with 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalists Islay Erica Boomage (women’s 45kg) and Jenelyn Olsim (women’s 54kg), where they shared their best practices and winning moments was also shown.

“Programs like the Women’s Martial Arts Festival are one great opportunity to bolster women’s rights to equal participation in sports,” said Women in Sports Commissioner Celia Kiram.

Kiram also talked about the history of Muay Thai in her regular segment K-Isport.