The pride that the Tancontian family gave to Davao City began in the 1960s when the widely popular sport of Judo was introduced in Davao City in 1961.
The sport of Judo came to Davao City from Japanese Construction Workers and Engineers who worked at a cement factory in Bunawan, Davao City, which Holcim Cement now owns.
After World War 2, it was learned that the Japanese government sent highly skilled workers to help the Philippines rebuild itself from the devastation of the war, and some of them reached Davao City.
The Japanese construction workers and engineers wanted to share their national sport, Judo, with the Davaoenos, so they decided to teach it at CYO gym, now known as the Holy Cross of Davao College Gym.
Three of the early students of these judo instructors are the Tancontian siblings, Romeo, the eldest; Antonio, the second; and Bimbo, the youngest.
Among the three siblings, Romeo was the first to excel in the sport, as he became the 1967 National Judo Open Weight Champion, the first to come from the province to bag the prestigious award.
Three decades later, the son of Antonio Tancontian, Paolo Tancontian, followed in his uncle's footsteps and became the 1997 Judo Open Weight Champion.
Tancontian, a former member of the Philippine team, also emerged as an 8-time Philippine Lightweight champion and the first gold medalist from Davao City in the Arafura Games in Australia in 2001.
After he retired from competitive Judo and other martial arts tournaments, Paolo Tancontian decided to pass on his champion legacy to his two children, Sydney Sy Tancontian and her younger brother Chino Sy Tancontian.
Like their father, Sydney and Chino Tancontian also emerged as champions in various international events, not only in Judo but in Sambo as well.
Sambo is a Russian martial art that was brought to the Philippines by Paolo Tancontian, the current president of Pilipinas Sambo.
The Tancontian family's contribution to Davao City's sports history is immeasurable, and we are just happy that they continue to bring honor to our beloved city even today.(Romeo Bracerosn Jr.)