Filipino bet Rudzma Abubakar advanced to the women’s muay thai -48kg semifinals of the 2025 World Games after a 30-27 win over Ukraine’s Anastasiia Mykhailenko on Friday at Sichuan Gymnasium.

Giving up height and reach, Abubakar found her opening in the second round, landing a strike that opened a cut above Mykhailenko’s right eyebrow. The injury shifted momentum in her favor as she controlled the rest of the bout.

She will now face China’s Xiaohui Lui, who beat Singapore’s Cheryl Gwa Wei Ying, in Saturday’s semifinal at 6 p.m.

With the crowd behind her, Lui is expected to be a major obstacle to Abubakar’s medal hopes.

“I am confident because Rudzma trained hard for this competition,” said Team Philippines chef de mission Stephen Arapoc, who also heads the national muay thai association.