Pinoy karatekas bag 16 golds on opening day of World Shoto Cup
FILIPINO junior karatekas put up huge performances to dominate the first day of the International Shotokan Karatedo Federation (ISKF) World Shoto Cup 2012 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The Filipinos harvested 16 gold medals in the first day to go with 14 silvers and eight bronze medals.
The Pinoy karatekas won all of the 8-9 years old category courtesy of David Ian Tubana (boys kata), Andi Tindugan (boys kumite), Urielle Joaquin (girls kata) and China Fontillas (girls kumite).
The Philippines also won four silver medals and three bronzes in the category while Juan Pablo Palomeque of Argentina placed third in the boys kata.
A sweep was also witnessed in the 10-11 years old category after Geoff Visorio and Roi Dariel Lao topped the kata and kumite events along with Lalor Deang and Hazel Napa in the distaff side.
Ryder Bawden and Francois Roberts of United States of America won only bronze medals in the boys kumite event.
Alexander Lay, who is a member of the national team and son of ISKF Philippines director Davi Lay, won two gold medals in the 12-13 years old category kata and kumite events.
Gabrielle Dela Rosa also won two gold medals in the same age category while Joanna Marie Lim and USA’s Talia Cassidy settled for the silver and Maria Jeanniel Ogayon and USA’s Jacqueline Andew and Dayna Collins Wells grabbed the bronze.
Marione May Rebanal topped the girl’s kumite in the 14-15 years old while Christine Cornel of USA topped the girl’s kata.
Prince Andreen Zipagan and Franchesca Reign Lim dominated the boys kata and girls kata in the 16-17 years old category while Marimar Fontillas topped the girls kumite.
“We dominated the competition because of the great exposure we gave our players in the international scene,” said National Team kumite head coach Reiner Ryan De Leon. “We let them join the International Juniors Cadet Children’s Games in Korea last August and they staged an impressive showing. Maybe it boosted their confidence and focus in the competition. But I think our adult and seniors division competitors will be having a tough time competing against US and Canada.” /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL
