‘First Step Pa Lang Ito’: Sophia Novino’s Tearful Silver Is the Most Inspiring Moment of the Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships
![Kazakhstan's Karakat Rakhybay raises her hands in victory after beating Filipina grappler women's youth -47-kilogram division of the 11th Asia-Oceania Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Wednesday evening. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Untitled-design202-400x200.png)
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Nicole Novino captured a silver medal in her international sambo debut after reaching the women’s youth -47kg final at the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships in Manila.