7-year-old fighter leads Siddayao honorees
In a celebration of youth and excellence, the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night will honor a distinguished group of young athletes at Manila Hotel’s Centennial Hall on Monday.
Leading the honorees are Aleia Aielle Aguilar, a three-time jiujitsu world champion, and Alexander Gabriel Delos Reyes, a gold medalist at the World Junior Wushu Championships, who will receive the Tony Siddayao Award.
Named after the late sports editor Antonio ‘Tony’ Siddayao, the award recognizes seven standout athletes under 17 years old.
This year’s other honorees will include fencer Sophia Shekaina Catantan, swimmers Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Behrouz Mohammad Mojdeh, and wrestlers Paul Sondrie Capinig and Marian Grace Balisme.
Aguilar achieved her third world title in Abu Dhabi at just seven years old, securing gold in the 22-kilogram class of the World Festival Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
