CHENGDU, China — Hergie Bacyadan was denied a bronze medal in the women’s K1 -70kg event of the 2025 World Games, falling in a controversial 1-2 decision to Serbia’s Aleksandra Krstic on Thursday, August 14. Despite landing heavy punches, high kicks, and knees that clearly connected, Bacyadan appeared poised to secure a podium finish and add to Team Philippines’ medal tally of two silvers and one bronze.

The judges, however, awarded the win to Krstic, who looked visibly shaken and in pain for much of the match. Bacyadan took the first round on all three judges’ scorecards — from Slovakia, South Korea, and the USA — but lost the next two. The Korean judge notably gave Krstic a large advantage in the second round despite Bacyadan’s evident control and activity. The national team chose not to file a protest and opted to move forward.

Yap falls in sambo semifinal

In another upset, world No. 1 Aislinn Yap suffered a 0-2 defeat to Kazakhstan’s Ulbossyn Adilova in the women’s sambo combat -80kg semifinals at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium. Adilova dominated on the mat and blocked Yap’s takedown attempts, forcing the Filipina to switch to striking without success. Yap will fight Nicole Castro of Costa Rica later in the evening for the bronze medal.

In men’s individual duathlon, Franklin Yee was the best Philippine finisher, clocking 1:20:37 to place 24th among 34 competitors at the Xinglong Lake Hubin Arena. France’s Benjamin Choquert won gold in 1:14:14. Yee finished ahead of teammates Maynard Pecson (28th, 1:23:59) and John Patrick Ciron (30th, 1:26:50).

Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco Jr. said the women’s squad — led by Merry Joy Trupa, Kim Mangrobang, and Bea Quiambao — will aim for a top 10 finish in Friday’s race against a field often dominated by European athletes.