ORMOC CITY, Leyte — Homegrown athletes who delivered outstanding performances in recent national and international martial arts competitions were formally honored during the city hall flag-raising ceremony at the Ormoc City Hall Lobby on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Honoring World-Class and National Victories
The ceremony recognized champions spanning international Jiu-Jitsu and national Taekwondo tournaments:
World Jiu-Jitsu Gold: Leirra Casolari was commended for securing a Gold Medal in the Under 14, 44 kg Division at the 2026 Jiu Jitsu International Federation World Championship held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on August 1, 2026.
National Taekwondo Golds: Three local athletes claimed Gold Medals at the 2026 National New Face of the Year Taekwondo Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila (May 16–27, 2026): Marianne Palmitos (Toddler Female, Under 128 cm Advance Category), Leila Lexie Brasileño (Junior Female, Under 46 kg Advance Category), and Matthew Raeven Anoos (Junior Male, Under 48 kg Advance Category).
National Taekwondo Bronze: Maria Regina Caeli Sanchez earned a Bronze Medal in the Grade School, Under 152 cm Advance Category at the same Manila tournament.
Citywide Support for Sports Excellence
Members of the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod, local government unit (LGU) department heads, enforcement agency representatives, and city hall personnel attended the recognition event to show unified backing for Ormoc's sports development programs.
The commendation highlights Ormoc City's ongoing commitment to fostering youth athletic talent and supporting grassroots sports programs that compete on national and global stages.
