JEAN Claude Saclag is going for a gold medal in the 2026 Asian Games, three days before he celebrates his birthday.
Saclag essayed a unanimous decision victory over Daisuke Murayama of Japan in the semifinals of the men’s traditional -65kg division to become the very first Pinoy MMA athlete to reach an Asian Games final.
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The Team Lakay fighter, known as ‘The Dynamite’ in the MMA pro circle. will be pitted against Otabek Rajabov of Tajikistan in the octagon for the gold on Tuesday, 2:20 p.m. (1:20 p.m. Philippine standard time), a few days before he turns 32 on Friday.
Already a silver medalist in the 2014 Asian Games in wushu, Saclag will look to take the gold this time, adding to his list of accomplishments that also includes being a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in kickboxing.
Carlos Alvarez was not as fortunate, but will still take home a bronze medal even with the semifinal loss to Yerkingali Burkutalin of Kazakhstan in the men’s traditional -77kg.
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