Self-defense goal leads Filipina pencak silat bet to Asian Youth Games gold

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Pencak silat standout Kram Airam Carpio delivers the Philippines its first medal in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain as she strikes gold in the girls' 51-55kg division

MANAMA, Bahrain – What started out as a means for self-defense has led Kram Airam Carpio to Asian Youth Games glory.

The pencak silat standout delivered the Philippines its first medal in the continental showdown returning after a 12-year hiatus as she struck gold in the girls’ 51-55kg division at the Exhibition World Bahrain on Monday, October 20.

Encouraged by her mother to try the sport for the purpose of being able to protect herself, the 16-year-old Carpio has made huge strides, with her Asian Youth Games title a fitting follow-up to her silver-medal finish in the Asian Pencak Silat Championships in Vietnam last July. 

“My mother inspires me since she supports me in everything I do and she was the one who pushed me into sports, at first just for self-defense then it continued to this. She sees that I’m happy in sports because of my wins and my achievements,” said Carpio in a mix of Filipino and English. 

“She wants me to be brave and to know that I can fight.” 

The native of Sta. Cruz, Laguna clinched the gold with a convincing 33-19 win over Qiken Dwi Tata Olifia of Indonesia, the birthplace of pencak silat.

She also beat Iran’s Nazaninfatemeh Kolasangiani in the round of 16, India’s Sakshi Thakur in the quarterfinals, and Kazakhstan’s Aliyam Azizova in the semifinals. 

“Before the fight with Indonesia, I was nervous since that is the country where pencak silat originated from,” said Carpio. “But when it was time for the match, I was focused on myself and what I needed to do.”

As Carpio turned in dominant wins on her way to the gold, she might have been her own biggest foe as she flew to Bahrain almost a kilogram over the weight limit — a hiccup caused by her sweet tooth. 

Carpio, though, quickly shed those extra pounds before competition started.

“I enjoy eating. I’m into sweets — cakes, pastries, doughnuts. But I’m controlling myself to not each much because I have weight to maintain,” she said. 

Her victory bodes well for the 141-strong delegation that is tasked to surpass the Philippines’ two-gold, three-silver haul in the 2013 edition, the last time the Asian Youth Games were held.

The Philippines also has entries in athletics, badminton, beach wrestling, boxing, cycling, golf, jiu-jitsu, kurash, mixed martial arts, muay, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, teqball, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling. – Rappler.com