Cebu karatekas sizzle in Malaysia

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu karatekas made significant contribution to Team Philippines’ campaign in the 1st Shureido Cup Karate Championships by hauling several medals at the end of the weeklong action held recently in Likas Sports Complex in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

The Sports Karatedo Organization (SKO) nabbed three golds, two silvers and one bronze, while the Association for the Upliftment of Karatedo(AUK) Karate Pilipinas-VII delivered two silver and three bronze medals.

Janine Narboada showed grace under pressure to win the gold medal in the kata event of the girls under 14 division. She also clinched the silver in the 42 kgs. kumite action.

Alexis Carmeli Patalinghug, for her part, also showcased her wares well after dominating the under 12 kumite via the 35-kilograms.

Alexis Nicole Villacarlos, for her part, also contributed with a gold in the under-12 40 kgs. division of kumite.

Two other bets from SKO in John Rans Mahinay and Jhudiel Olivar also handed a silver and bronze medal, respectively.

Meanwhile, AUK, despite missing their head coach Rhodee Ann Saavedra due to her obligations with the Philippine team, managed to get a podium finish.

Jeremy Laurence Nopre scored a double bronze through the under-21 kata and in the 67-kilograms division kumite, while Rus Josua Macaya also got a silver through the cadet division’s 57-kilograms kumite.

Aj Ala Villamor also made a succesful international debut with a bronze medal in the under 14 kata. Giovanni Ephraim Apuya got AUK’s third bronze via the cadet’s kata competition. (FREEMAN)