Pinoy karatekas dominate World Shoto Cup with total of 18 golds

DESPITE a slow finish in the last day of competition, the Philippines still emerged on top in the 2nd International Shotokan Karatedo Federation (ISKF) World Shoto Cup 2012 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Cebuano national team member Orencio “Oj” delos Santos was the lone individual gold medalist in the adult competition yesterday as he topped the men’s individual kata. The Philippines added another gold after its seniors men’s team lorded the kata/kumite event by beating the United States of America (USA).

Even with just two golds in the last day, the Philippines came out on top as it finished with a total of 18 gold medals, most of which came from the victories by its junior karatekas last Saturday. The Pinoys also had 15 silvers and nine bronze medals after the two-day quadrennial competition.

Rhoel Parungao added a silver medal after placing second to Paul Mckeena of Canada in the senior men’s individual kata while the women’s kumite team settled for third.

Inaugural champion USA bagged a total of six golds and nine silver medals to go with 15 bronze medals.

The USA topped the seniors women’s individual kata and kumite,  team kata and kumite, the men’s individual kumite, women’s individual kata and men’s team kata yesterday.

Canada finished with four gold medals for third place. It also had seven silver and bronze medals.

“I would like to give the credit to our junior karatekas. Because of them, the Philippines finished on top and won the overall championship title,” said ISK Philippines director and national team head coach David Lay. “ It’s the strong basic foundation that made them formidable against bigger junior karatekas from USA, Canada and South Africa.”

Team Philippines will try to defend its title when the competition heads to South Africa in 2016.

Lay is now looking for a generous sponsors from the private sector to help fund the team’s campaign in South Africa.

“It’s very expensive to go to South Africa and we need to look for sponsors,” said Lay.  /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL