Rudzmar Abubakar eyes a historic gold for the Philippines in Muay Thai at the 2025 World Games

The Philippines is set to introduce another rising star from a small city, as Zamboanga native Rudzmar Abubakar prepares to represent the country at the upcoming 2025 Muay Thai World Games in Chengdu, China.

Abubakar follows in the footsteps of fellow Zamboanga athletes like Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Mark Barroca (basketball), Eumir Marcial (boxing), and Camille Rodriguez (football).

She will compete in the Senior Female Elite 48-kilogram class, having qualified after an impressive performance at the 2025 IFMA Senior World Championships in Antalya, Turkey. Abubakar won two medals at the event — a gold in the Senior Female Mai Muay and a bronze in the Senior Female Elite division.

Her journey in the sport is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck. At just 14 years old, while at her grandfather’s small eatery in Zamboanga, a customer noticed her and introduced her to Muay Thai. Just a year later, she was invited to compete in a martial arts tournament in Manila by the Secretary-General of the Muaythai Association of the Philippines.

“Nakita niya lang ako tapos sinabi niya sa akin kung gusto ko mag-Muay Thai. Wala po akong idea—Muay Thai—may pinanood siyang video ng laban. As in zero knowledge ako sa Muay Thai noon kasi yung sport ko lang dati ay basketball sa kalye lang,” Abubakar told GMA.

2025 Chengdu World Games 🔥
📰 Main Media Center opens, ready to welcome 2,000 journalists
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— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) August 4, 2025

“Four months akong nagte-training sa Zamboanga noon. Ang alam ko lang, basta ang Muay Thai may suntok, sipa, elbows, knees. Hindi pa talaga ako tinuruan ng mga techniques. Kahit natalo ako, doon ako nakitaan ng potential,” she added.

Abubakar is currently in the final stage of training in Baguio under coaches Edzel Ngina and Zaidi Laruan as she prepares for the biggest competition of her career.

“Almost two months akong nag-training. Inaral po namin yung mga specific skills na gagamitin namin sa laban kasi yung previous na mga nakalaban ko, maglalaro din sila doon. Grabe yung hirap—trainings araw-araw, gigising ng maaga, pagod ang katawan at pati mental health,” Abubakar said.

The 2025 Muay Thai World Games in Chengdu, China, will run from August 7 to 17, and it will be intriguing to see how the Zamboanga native fares against some of the best fighters in the world.

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