Day: May 7, 2023

Posted on

Junshi Biosciences Announces Collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s to Develop and Commercialize Toripalimab in 21 Countries

SHANGHAI, China, May 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd (“Junshi Biosciences”, HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180) announced a collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited (“Dr. Reddy’s”) to develop and commercialize toripalimab, the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in Latin America, India, South Africa, and at the election of Dr. Reddy’s, also in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

“We are thrilled to have established a partnership with Dr. Reddy’s while toripalimab’s global commercial network has been steadily expanding, reaching more than 50 countries and advancing our mission of being ‘In China, For Global,’” said Dr. Ning LI, Chief Executive Officer of Junshi Biosciences. “Dr. Reddy’s is a well-respected global pharmaceutical company and extends its business over nearly 70 countries worldwide, achieving impressive commerical presence across the globe. We hope that in the near future, leveraging Dr. Reddy’s partnership and strong presence, our innovative medicines can accelerate access to new geographies and deliver better and more affordable treatment options to even more patients.”

M.V. Ramana, CEO – Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets), Dr. Reddy’s said, “We are pleased to partner with Junshi Biosciences to take this important product to more patients. Oncology is a focus area for Dr. Reddy’s. This partnership is a further step towards increasing our offerings to patients in oncology as we aim to build a robust and comprehensive portfolio in the segment. We are committed to facilitating access to innovative products as we pursue our goal of serving over 1.5 billion patients by 2030.”

Under the license and commercialization agreement, Junshi Biosciences will grant a licence to Dr. Reddy’s to develop and exclusively commercialize toripalimab in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Panama, Uruguay, India and South Africa1. Dr. Reddy’s may elect to expand the scope of the license to cover Australia, New Zealand and nine other countries2.

Under the terms of the agreement, Junshi Biosciences also grants Dr. Reddy’s the exclusive right of first negotiation for commercialization, in the event that Junshi Biosciences determines to grant any third party the rights to commercialize two other products as agreed in the agreement in one or more countries within the total 21 countries of Dr. Reddy’s Territory3.

Junshi Biosciences may receive up to an aggregate of US$728.3 million for upfront payment, potential expansion of Dr. Reddy’s Territory and milestone payment, plus double-digit percentage of royalties on the net sales of products containing toripalimab.

About Toripalimab

Toripalimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody developed for its ability to block PD-1 interactions with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and for enhanced receptor internalization (endocytosis function). Blocking PD-1 interactions with PD-L1 and PD-L2 promotes the immune system’s ability to attack and kill tumor cells.

More than forty company-sponsored toripalimab clinical studies covering more than fifteen indications have been conducted globally by Junshi Biosciences, including in China, the United States, Southeast Asia, and European countries. Ongoing or completed pivotal clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of toripalimab cover a broad range of tumor types including cancers of the lung, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, breast, liver, kidney and skin.

In China, toripalimab was the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for marketing (approved in China as TUOYI®). Currently, there are six approved indications for toripalimab in China:

  1. unresectable or metastatic melanoma after failure of standard systemic therapy;
  2. recurrent or metastatic NPC after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy;
  3. locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy;
  4. in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as the first-line treatment for patients with locally recurrent or metastatic NPC;
  5. in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin in first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced/recurrent or distant metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (“ESCC”);
  6. in combination with pemetrexed and platinum as the first-line treatment in EGFR mutation-negative and ALK mutation-negative, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”).

The first three indications have been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) (2022 Edition). Toripalimab is the only anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody included in the NRDL for treatment of melanoma.

In the United States, the Biologics License Application (BLA) for toripalimab in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin, for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced recurrent or metastatic NPC and toripalimab monotherapy for the second-line or later treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC after platinum-containing chemotherapy is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designations for toripalimab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC as well as for toripalimab monotherapy in the second or third-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC. Additionally, the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for toripalimab for the treatment of mucosal melanoma and Orphan Drug designations for the treatment of esophageal cancer, NPC, mucosal melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

In Europe, marketing authorization applications (MAA) were accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for 1) toripalimab combined with cisplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic NPC and 2) toripalimab combined with paclitaxel and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced/recurrent or metastatic ESCC, in December 2022 and February 2023.

About Dr. Reddy’s

Dr. Reddy’s is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Hyderabad, India and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (stock code: RDY), the National Stock Exchange of India (stock code: DRREDDY), and the Bombay Stock Exchange (stock code: 500124). Established in 1984, Dr. Reddy’s is committed to providing access to affordable and innovative medicines. Driven by its purpose of ‘Good Health Can’t Wait’, Dr. Reddy’s offers a portfolio of products and services including APIs, generics, branded generics, biosimilars and OTC. Dr. Reddy’s major therapeutic areas of focus are gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, diabetology, oncology, pain management and dermatology. Its major markets include – the United States, India, China, Brazil and Europe. As a company with a history of deep science that has led to several industry firsts, Dr. Reddy’s continues to plan ahead and invest in businesses of the future. As an early adopter of sustainability and ESG actions, Dr. Reddy’s released its first Sustainability Report in 2004. Its current ESG goals aim to set the bar high in environmental stewardship; access and affordability for patients; diversity; and governance. For more information, log on to: www.drreddys.com.

About Junshi Biosciences
Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R&D pipeline comprising over 50 drug candidates, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA monoclonal antibody for the treatment of various cancers was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and has since entered Phase Ib/II trials in both China and the US. Its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA.

In the face of the pandemic, Junshi Biosciences’ response was strong and immediate, joining forces with Chinese and international scientific research institutions and enterprises to develop an arsenal of drug candidates to combat COVID-19, taking the initiative to shoulder the social responsibility of Chinese pharmaceutical companies by prioritizing and accelerating COVID-19 R&D. In 2021, JS016 (etesevimab), China’s first neutralizing fully human monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 administered with bamlanivimab, was granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) in over 15 countries and regions worldwide. Meanwhile, VV116 (deuremidevir hydrobromide), a novel oral nucleoside analog anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug designed to hinder virus replication, has been approved for marketing in China and Uzbekistan. The JS016 and VV116 programs are a part of the company’s continuous efforts towards innovation for disease control and prevention of the global pandemic.

Junshi Biosciences has about 3,100 employees in the United States (San Francisco and Maryland) and China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc). For more information, please visit: http://junshipharma.com.

Junshi Biosciences Contact Information
IR Team:
Junshi Biosciences
info@junshipharma.com
+ 86 021-6105 8800

PR Team:
Junshi Biosciences
Zhi Li
zhi_li@junshipharma.com
+ 86 021-6105 8800

1 Collectively, “Dr. Reddy’s Territory 1”2 Collectively, “Dr. Reddy’s Territory 2”
3 Both “Dr. Reddy’s Territory 1” and “Dr. Reddy’s Territory 2” are collectively known as “Dr. Reddy’s Territory”, totalling 21 countries.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8833598

Posted on

Vietnam beat Myanmar in SEA Games women’s football

Vietnam trounced Myanmar 3-1 in their second Group A match in the 32nd SEA Games women’s football event in Cambodia on May 6, topping Group A after two wins.

Vietnam’s three goals were scored by Huynh Nhu in the 10th minute, Thanh Nha 76th minute, and Thuy Trang 89th minute, while Mo Mo Tun scored the only goal for Myanmar at Minute 41.

Vietnam are in Group A with the Philippines, Myanmar, and Malaysia, with their next match against the Philippines slated for May 9. Group B consists of the host Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, and Laos.

Also on the day, the Vietnamese men’s volleyball players beat their Malaysian rivals 3-0, advancing to the semi-finals.

Vietnam’s target of defending their silver medal at the Games this year is said to be quite difficult, as their next opponent in the semi-finals is the defending-champion Indonesia.

In the 3×3 men’s basketball of the tournament, the Vietnamese squad lost to host Cambodia in the semi-final and competed with Thailand for the bronze medal in a match scheduled for May 7./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Expert cites vital role of infra in bringing down food prices

An economic development expert and member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) policy-making Monetary Board (MB) recognizes the vital role of infrastructure projects under the ‘Build Better More’ program in bringing down prices of food products, the primary driver of high inflation. This, as risks to the inflation outlook remain tilted toward the upside amid potential transport fare increases, wage adjustments, and pressures from food prices even as El Niño is expected to hit the country starting by the second half of the year. In an interview on the sidelines of a business journalism seminar hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines in Clark, Pampanga on Saturday, MB member Bruce Tolentino said the country needs to invest more in infrastructure to manage the El Niño risks. ‘We can actually manage the impacts if we know the weather patterns well in advance enough so that if there is a drought in one area, we can increase the irrigation in that area. That’s an investment in irrigation and water management,’ he said. Tolentino said the infrastructure projects under the ‘Build Better More’ program is also ‘very important’ in taking down middlemen, particularly in agri-food supply chains. ‘Kung walang (if there is no) infrastructure, the problem is, kung ano mabubuhat ng magsasaka, ‘yun ang maititinda nya (the farmers will only sell what he can carry). Pero kung may (but if there is) infrastructure, he can carry more, we can have a pickup (point), there will be an aggregator who can bring all the products together to the market so the chain is shorter. So if the infrastructure is improved, then there will be fewer people in the marketing chain,’ he added. As of March 31, at least 14 of the 194 infrastructure flagship projects under the ‘Build Better More’ program came from the agricultural sector. Most of the infrastructure flagship projects are also in physical connectivity and water resources, including irrigation, water supply and flood management. The list also includes projects in digital connectivity, health, power, energy and other infrastructure. Tolentino expressed belief that government must focus its budget on food productivity and competitiveness that would boost agricultural development. ‘It is improved seeds, improved germplasm for animals, training for farmers to use the improved seeds and improved germplasm, better fertilization techniques, improved irrigation and better information for farmers on weather patterns, and support for the farmers when it comes to farm business management,’ he said. Tolentino said funds of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and local government units can be reformulated so ‘more money is spent on productivity enhancement.’ ‘Because all the local governments also have lots of money. They don’t know what to do with it so with the DA’s guidance and support, they should be able to manage their own budget and support agriculture also,’ he said. Meanwhile, Tolentino said there is a need to address the supply issues on the agricultural side as the country’s inflation rate is still driven by food and energy prices, with food items alone accounting for about 38 percent on average of consumer price index in recent years. The headline inflation further decelerated to 6.6 percent in April from 7.6 percent in March, within the BSP’s 6.3 to 7.1 percent forecast range for the period.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Posted on

Economist sees GDP growth at 6% in Q1

The Philippine economy likely grew by 6 percent in the first quarter of the year, mainly driven by consumer spending, according to an economist. In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said lower individual tax rates starting January this year as part of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law may have led to increased consumer spending, which accounts for at least 75 percent of the economy. Under the TRAIN law, taxpayers earning more than PHP250,000 a year but not more than PHP8 million will have 15 percent to 30 percent income tax rates, down from the previous 20 percent to 32 percent. Ricafort said the further reopening of the economy also led to increased sales. “Measures to reopen the economy towards greater normalcy that led to increased sales overshadowed the risks of higher prices, higher interest rates amid aggressive Fed (Federal Reserve) rate hikes as well as local policy rate hikes in recent months, relatively weaker peso exchange rate especially compared to early 2022, and risk of recession in the US, which is the world’s largest economy, that could slow down global economic recovery in terms of some slowdown in global trade, investments, remittances, employment, and other economic activities worldwide,” he said. Ricafort’s forecast, however, was slower than the 8.2 percent gross domestic product (GDP) expansion recorded in the first quarter of 2022. He said that while the Philippine economy has already been back to pre-pandemic levels, offsetting challenges remain. These include the higher inflation which settled at 6.6 percent as of April this year, higher global and local interest rates that led to higher borrowing costs, and risk of recession in the US. Ricafort said other possible drivers of economic growth include overseas Filipino workers remittances, good employment and unemployment rate, manufacturing, and further increase in government spending, especially infrastructure spending. “The delivery of more reform measures, especially fiscal reform measures and other economic reform measures that would help further ease limits on foreign ownership, would help attract the entry of more foreign investment, such as the amendments to the Public Services Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investment Act, among others, would lead help boost investor confidence and lead to the creation of more jobs and other business opportunities that would also help the economy recover further from the pandemic,” he said. The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official first quarter GDP growth data on May 11.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Posted on

Estate tax amnesty extension lifeline for pandemic-hit sectors

The clock is ticking and the Senate needs to pass an important bill seeking to extend the estate tax amnesty period for two more years. Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph Recto said in a news release on Sunday that his ‘former classmates can approve what is a simple bill’ without having to wait for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to certify the measure as urgent. He said that when session resumes on Monday, both chambers of Congress have 12 session days before it adjourns anew by the end of the month. Under the current estate tax amnesty law, the period to avail of the benefits expires on June 14. But Recto expressed hopes of an extension ‘because in legislation, a month is an eternity. Kaya kayang-kaya ipasa (It can be passed).’ ‘Although tax bills originate from the House, the Senate, in anticipation of House action, can start tackling the bill, so that when the House bill arrives, the Senate version is now primed for floor debates,’ he said. After it hurdled the House Ways and Means Committee, the measure seeking to move the deadline of the estate tax amnesty to June 14, 2025 would then be ready for the plenary debates where its passage is a certainty, he added. While in the Senate, Recto was among the authors of Republic Act (RA) 11213 or the Tax Amnesty Act which erased the penalties and significantly cut the rates for estate tax obligations. However, the period to avail of the one-time tax relief coincided with the pandemic, prompting Congress to pass what would become RA 11569 which extended the amnesty period by two years or until June 14 this year. By extending the window of opportunity again by two years, ‘families will save billions (of pesos) while the government will earn billions,’ he said. Recto said the extension is a ‘lifeline to a government scrounging for revenues and an act of kindness’ to seniors whose vulnerability during the 30 months the pandemic raged prevented them from availing of the amnesty. ‘Marami sa ating mga kababayang nasa ibang bansa na nais sanang ayusin ang namanang ari-arian ang hindi makauwi dahil sa matagal at mahigpit na lockdown (Many of our folks abroad wanted to process inherited properties but failed to return home because of extended and strict lockdown),’ he said. Recto hailed the House bill as an improved version of the estate tax amnesty law, as it covers deaths which occurred on or before Dec. 31, 2021, amending the cut off period of Dec. 31, 2017 in RA 11213. As society opens and restrictions are lifted, people are now free to move around in completing the complex legal requirements in putting a deceased loved one’s estate in order so these can be used for productive purposes, he added. Recto said if the government had extended ‘lifelines, bailouts in the billions’ to distressed commercial firms during the pandemic, ‘then why should not the same compassion be extended to families, more so that it won’t cost the government anything?’

Source: Philippines News Agency

Posted on

Obstacle racers, women athletes, jiu-jitsu deliver SEAG golds

For the second straight day, obstacle course racers remained perfect, leading a six-gold medal charge Sunday that kept the Philippines in the mix of things in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) here. Putting the finishing touches to a scintillating stint in the four-day event, the men’s and women’s relay teams proved too much for the opposition, taking the last two mints to complete a four-gold sweep, further reinforcing their status as the best in the region. With another big crowd at the Chroy Chavrang Convention Center Car Park, the men’s quartet of Ahgie Radan, Elias Tabac, Mervin Guarte, and Jay-ar de Castro hurdled all the obstacles in a new global standard of 24.47 seconds to beat Malaysia’s Ghalib Mohamad Azimi, Mohd Redha Rozlan, Nuur Hafis Said Alwi and Yoong Wei Theng, who clocked 25.15. Earlier, Sandi Menchi Abahan, Mecca Cortizano, Milky Mae Tejares and Maritess Nocyao reigned supreme in the women’s category with a world mark of 33.73 at the expense of Indonesia’s Anggun Yolanda, Ayu Pupita, Mudji Mulyani and Rahmayuna Fadillah (35.06). The other gold medals were delivered by reigning duathlon queen Kim Mangrobang; the women’s soft tennis duo of Bien Zoleta-Mañalac and Princess Catindig; jiu-jitsu fighter Marc Lim who finally triumphed in his third SEA Games; and karateka Jamie Christine Lim, who bounced back from her bronze-medal finish in Vietnam last year. Mangrobang kept her crown in the 5-kilometer (km) run, 20-km bike and 2.5-km run finale at Kep Beach Resort; Zoleta-Mañalac and Catindig completed a championship sweep capped by a 5-2 victory over Chatmanee and Napawee Jankiaw of Thailand in the women’s doubles finals; Marc Lim beat Vietnam’s Dang Dinh Tung for the men’s ne-waza nogi 69-kilogram (kg) gold; and Jamie Lim returned to her rightful place on top of the SEA Games karate world by ruling the women’s under-61kg women’s individual kumite at Chroy Changvar Center Hall A. Jamie Lim went home with a bronze in Vietnam last year but regained the crown she won in the Philippines in 2019 when she humbled Cambodian Vann Chakriya in the title match, 3-1. ‘I had less (time) for social media, no Tiktok and IG (Instagram) for the last few months but now everything is okay,’ said Jamie Lim, daughter of Philippine Basketball Association legend Samboy Lim. The Filipinos, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, ended the day with 13 gold medals in a tie with Indonesia for second, just ahead of Vietnam which had 12. First-time host Cambodia was on top of the heap with 25 gold, 19 silver and 19 bronze medals as of posting time, mainly through its domination of indigenous combat sports kun-bokator, kun khmer and vovinam. The Filipinos also had 14 silver medals, one of them coming from the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 men’s squad that lost 15-20 to the Cambodian team that featured three naturalized players in Brandon Peterson, Sayeed Pridgett, and Darrin Dorsey. The women’s 3×3 team also lost to Vietnam 16-21 after ousting Thailand 21-19 in the semifinals. Karate contributed four silver medals for the day, courtesy of kumite fighters Matthew Manantan (men’s under-67 kg), Ivan Agustin (under-84 kg), Remon Misu (under-68 kg women) and Ariane Brito (+68kg women). But Cambodia’s bid for a Cinderella finish will be severely tested when the region’s big guns, among them the Filipinos, Thais, Indonesians, and Malaysians, press their bids in several martial arts disciplines and athletics, which get going Monday at Morodok Techo Stadium. Boxers Rogen Ladon and Ian Clark Bautista assured themselves of bronze medals but James Palicte bowed out of contention. Ladon, winner in 2019 and 2022, overcame the hugging and holding strategy of Indonesian Ingatan Ilahi to score a 5-0 unanimous decision win and advance to the flyweight semifinals against Malaysian Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin. Bautista, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist, beat Van Duong Nguyen of Vietnam via a referee-stopped-contest due to injury after inflicting a cut on his foe’s left eyebrow in their featherweight duel. He will face next Asri Udin of Indonesia in the semifinals. Palicte lost to Van Ratha of Cambodia via split decision in the light welterweight quarterfinals.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Posted on

2 medals at Asian Kurash Championships prove PH rising potential

Taking home a silver and a bronze at the tough Asian Seniors Kurash Championships in Hangzhou, China is something the Philippines can be proud of. Thanks to Charmea Quelino who bagged the silver medal in the women’s -63kg category and Nick Gabriel Ligero who took the bronze in the men’s -60kg category last week, Filipinos proved they have the potential to excel in the sport given more training and foreign exposure. The Asian Championships, held April 25 to 29 at the Xiaoshan Linpu Gymnasium, was a test event for the Asian Games. The venue will be the training and competition venue for judo, ju-jitsu and kurash during the Asian Games on Sept. 23 to Oct. 8. “I feel so blessed for winning the silver medal. Our team worked so hard and sacrificed a lot for this competition,” said Quelino in an exclusive interview with Philippine News Agency on Saturday. “Honestly, I did not expect that I can keep up and win a medal at the Asian-level because this is only my second international tournament and there are many strong athletes outside of South East Asia,” added the 24-year-old native of Baguio City. Quelino defeated Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nhung and Indian Akshita Sharma to reach the final where she lost to Chinese Zhang Wen. Sharma and Uzbekistan’s Mukhlisakhon Kadirberganov settled for the bronze medals. “My first match was so challenging. She (Vietnamese) is one of the strongest players since the previous SEA (Southeast Asian) Games so I feel blessed when I beat her,” shared Quelino, who captured the silver medal (-52kg) in the Vietnam SEA Games in 2022, where Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nhung, entered in the -57kg category and took the bronze. “I’m super thankful to God because I know I can’t do it without Him. He was the one I held on to the most during the competition. I’m also very thankful to my coaches and teammates because without them, I wouldn’t be able to grow as an athlete. They always push me and teach me for my betterment,” added the 5-foot-2 judoka. After graduating with a double degree (sports studies and psychology) in 2021, she worked for a while at a counseling and consultancy facility for people with substance use disorder. “After graduation, I started working. It was my last year in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and I was going to stop my athletic career. But I was invited to apply to the kurash national team so I grabbed the opportunity because I thought I am still young and maybe there was a purpose why the Lord gave me another chance to play. I thought that I don’t want to grow up with regrets of not maximizing my athletic career. So, I decided to leave my job to train with the team for the SEA Games,” she narrated. She also said that preparing for the SEA Games was one of the hardest trainings she had as she lost more than 10 kilograms in just a few weeks. She added that she survived the toughest training because of the support of her teammates. Meanwhile, Ligero’s performance in his first tournament abroad was praiseworthy as he fought with an injury. He lost to Vietnam SEA Games gold medalist Le Cong Hoang Hai in the semifinal round to settle for third place with Indian Om Rattan. Abdulaziz Khamroev of Uzbekistan defeated Le Cong in the final. “It’s been an honor to compete against the Vietnamese because he is one of the most well-known and most admired in kurash. Our game was intense. Because of my dislocated shoulder, when I hold him with my left arm, I can’t stop his other attacks and my grip is too light,” said the UAAP Season 82 Most Valuable Player in 2019. Ligero, born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila, said it has been his long-time dream to become a member of the kurash team. ‘It is truly such an honor and privilege to represent the country and even blessed enough to be able to bring pride to our country,’ Ligero said. Meanwhile, Kurash Sports Federation of the Philippines president Rolan Llamas lauded Quelino, Ligero and the rest of the team. “Our athletes learned a lot from the Asian Championships and their experiences would help them as they prepare for upcoming tournaments such as the Asian Games and Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games,” said Llamas, who is also the deputy president of the Kurash Union of South East Asia. The AIMAG will take place Nov. 17 to 26 in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok and Chonburi province. Kurash is a traditional Uzbek wrestling style popular in Central Asia. The objective is to throw one another to the ground. Victory is declared if thrown to the back.

Source: Philippines News Agency