By Genevieve Balance Kupang
Baguio Central University’s colors flew high inside the ring at the 2026 IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Associations) World Championship, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from June 16 to 26, 2026.
Larstephen Estares Cañedo, an incoming fourth-year Bachelor of Physical Education student under the College of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (CTELA) and a member of BCU’s Combat Sports program, fought his way to the silver medal in the Under-24 Men’s 54kg division. The result placed him second among 18 of the sport’s best young athletes worldwide. Among his opponents were fighters from Lebanon, Iraq, Malaysia, and Ukraine, several of whom became his friends through the competition. Larstephen is also qualified to have his foreign training in Thailand this August in preparation for his upcoming fight in Kosovo.
BCU extends its deepest thanks to the coaches who journeyed with Larstephen throughout the tournament: Mr. Emmanuel Cantores, BCU coach based in Baguio City; Mr. Edzel Ngina and Mr. Zaidi Laruan, both national coaches; and Mr. Billy Alumno, MAP head coach, based in Ultra, Pasig City.
On June 24, 2026, Larstephen, in a red vest, fought Wassof Bin Rumijam from Malaysia in a blue vest, the team captain of Muaythai in Malaysia. Photo Credit: MAP.
Cañedo’s road to the podium ran through two of the tournament’s toughest brackets. He first defeated Mustafa Osamah of Iraq to punch his ticket to the semifinals. There, he met Malaysia’s Wassof Bin Ramijam on home soil and edged him 2-1 in a fight that sent Cañedo through to the finals and secured his place among the world’s top two fighters in his weight class.
On the podium for the U24 Male -54kg division at the 2026 IFMA World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, gold went to Sviatoslav Novak of Ukraine, silver to BCU Eagle Larstephen Cañedo of the Philippines, and bronze to Wassof Bin Rumijam of Malaysia.
The achievement carries weight beyond the ring. Cañedo represented the Philippines on a global stage. He did it as a Baguio Central University student-athlete, proof that Baguio City is producing competitors who can hold their own internationally. BCU Athletic Director Dr. Michelle Alumno gave him all-out support. She handled his endorsement and paperwork, coordinated with the Philippine Team Muaythai Association for his training, and monitored his journey as an athlete. Her supervision of the university’s combat sports program keeps giving Filipino athletes a path to international competition.
Team Philippines capped off the final day of the 2026 IFMA Senior World Championships at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, with a souvenir photo alongside officials from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia. The Muaythai Association of the Philippines was honored to welcome Ms. Patricia Anne Laggui, Third Secretary and Vice Consul; Ms. Jesher Micha Carolino, Cultural Attaché; and Ms. Aina Camille Abrencillo, Public Diplomacy Officer, whose presence and support were deeply appreciated by the athletes, coaches, and officials of Team Philippines. Also present were Ms. Joy Fernandez, Secretary General of MAP, and head coach Mr. Billy Alumno.
In his own words, Cañedo credited his faith, family, coach, and teammates for carrying him through the tournament. He extended his thanks to the Philippine Sports Commission, chaired by Mr. John Patrick “Pato” C. Gregorio, the Muaythai Association of the Philippines, headed by Muaythai Association of the Philippines’ Chairman, Gen. Lucas Managuelod, and IFMA Muaythai for the support that brought him from local rings to the world stage.
Larstephen’s international journey began in Vietnam, where he first competed abroad. That stint brought him a bronze medal in his second year of competing internationally.
His path to that stage started years earlier and much closer to home. Cañedo first stepped into competitive sport as a Grade 8 student at Pines City National High School, where he represented the Philippines at the Batang Pinoy competition in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. He had started training just a year before, in Grade 7, at age 12. He began in Wushu that year, then shifted to Muaythai the following year.
He credits his first trainer for spotting his potential and inviting him to join the team, under the leadership of Joe Ferino Guinumtad, head of MAPEH at the school. That early opportunity set the direction for everything that followed.
Representing Baguio Central University, Cañedo went on to compete in Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL), PRISAA (Zamboanga and Bicol), regional meets in Olongapo and Pasig, the national LVM tournament, and the Philippine National Games in Manila.
Before the world championship, he spent three months in intensive training at Teacher’s Camp, a facility provided by the Philippine Sports Commission. His routine began every morning by waking up at 4 a.m. and being at the training area at 5 a.m.
CAR’s Muaythai delegation at the 2026 IFMA World Championship, Kuala Lumpur. From left to right: Coach Zaidi Laruan (La Trinidad), Rudzma Abukar (BSU alumna), Islay Erika Bomogao (UB alumna), Lyre Ngina (UB student), Edel Ngina (UB student), Ariel Lee Lampacan (Itogon, Benguet), and Larstephen E. Cañedo (BCU).
The Baguio Central University community, through the Office of the University President, Dr. Margarita Cecilda B. Rillera, Vice Presidents, Deans, the author– International Relations Office Dr. Genevieve Balance Kupang, and the Athletics Department headed by Dr. Michelle C. Alumno, congratulates Larstephen Estares Cañedo on a hard-earned silver medal. From his win over Iraq’s Mustafa Osamah to the semifinal victory over Malaysia’s Wassof Bin Rumijam that clinched his spot in the finals, every round told the story of an Eagle who trained, fought, and represented his country and his university with honor.
Gold medalist Sviatoslav Novak (Ukraine), silver medalist Larstephen Cañedo (Philippines), and bronze medalist Wassof Bin Rumijam (Malaysia) share a selfie moments after their awarding ceremony, a small but telling scene of the camaraderie that outlasts every match.
Team Philippines, where BCU’s Larstephen Estares Cañedo is a part, closed the 2026 IFMA World Championship with six gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, enough to place third overall in the medal standings. It stands as one of the strongest showings the country has produced on this stage. The Muaythai Association of the Philippines, guided by Chairman Gen. Lucas Managuelod, President Hon. Gian Carlo G. Sotto, and Secretary General Maria Lourdes Joy Fernandez, continues to push Philippine Muaythai further into the international spotlight. Their leadership laid the groundwork that made a result like this possible.
None of it came from one person alone. Head Coach Billy Alumno worked alongside coaches Preciosa Delarmino, Edzel Ngina, Zaidi Laruan, Armando Solar, and Roland Claro, all of them training athletes long before the cameras arrived in Kuala Lumpur. Officials and support staff carried their share of the weight too, often unseen but never absent from the effort.
What the results ultimately show is resilience, mental toughness, grit, and discipline. It shows the fighting spirit every Filipino athlete carried into that ring, wearing the country’s colors with pride.
Peace, force, and joy! Dayaw ya Layad
Congratulations, Team Bagsik! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!
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Photo credits: Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP)
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About the Author:
Genevieve B. Kupang, PhD, is WURI Historian, Secretary of WUNI-Leaders (WUNI-L), and Board Director of the Cordillera Association of International Relations Officers (CAIRO). She serves as Peace Education Coordinator for the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI) and Co-Lead of the Exceptional Women of Peace Awards under Pathways to Peace. She is currently Dean of the Graduate School and International Relations Officer, Baguio Central University, Baguio City, Philippines.