Team Lakay’s Stephen Loman and Lito Adiwang were pulled out of the ONE Championship on TNT card series after the two Igorot fighters tested positive for Covid-19 days before fight day.
The two Igorot fighters were to be bound for Singapore but their swab tests prior to departure turned positive for Covid-19 infection.
The 28-year-old Adiwang was supposed to face Jarred Brooks for the ONE on TNT 2 on April 14 while Loman, also 28 years old, was supposed to be making his ONE debut against the hard-hitting John Lineker on TNT 3 on April 21.
Troy Worthen reportedly will step up for Loman while Adiwang’s replacement fighter has yet to be announced.
ONE Championship chair and Chief Executive Officer Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed to an international media firm that the two rising stars tested positive for Covid-19.
Loman and Adiwang, along with other Lakay fighters have been training hard in the mountains of Baguio and Benguet in preparation for their bouts this month.
Former ONE lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang, who is scheduled to fight a Korean-Japanese fighter on ONE on TNT 4 on April 28 is under observation due to possible exposure.
There has been a surge in Covid-19 cases in Baguio and Benguet the past months with some athletes as among those who contracted the infection.
Team Lakay chair Mark Sangiao has yet to issue an official statement on their plans, but Adiwang and Loman are most likely to be isolated for 14 days for them to fully recover from the infection. – Harley F. Palangchao
