Fight Alliance Sports Team

PH youth karatekas bag 2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze at Asian Karate Youth Open Championship

By Gab Ferreras

The Philippine youth karate team delivered an impressive performance at the recently concluded 3rd Asian Karate Youth Open Championship and Training Camp in Hangzhou, China, bringing home a total of two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze against some of Asia's top young martial artists.

Leading the country's medal haul was Wilfredo Apellido III of AKKR Karatedo - Kobodo School, who showcased his all-around brilliance by capturing the gold medal in the Boys Under-12 Kata before adding a silver medal in the Boys Under-12 Kumite (-45kg) to complete a remarkable two-medal campaign.

Joining him atop the podium was Romeo Viktor Enriquez of Fight Alliance Sports Team (FAST), who emerged victorious in the Boys Under-12 Kumite (+45kg) to secure the country's second gold medal of the tournament.

Meanwhile, fellow FAST standout Rafael Herrera also made his mark by earning the bronze medal in the Boys Under-14 Individual Kata, adding another podium finish for the delegation supported by Karate Pilipinas.

Coach Engene Dagohoy, a former member of the national karate team, expressed pride in the squad's performance, noting that the team's overall results matched its medal haul from last year's Asian Championship despite the stiff level of competition.

"Sobrang proud ako sa performance ng team as a whole kasi for Thirdy, namaintain ang record niya last AYCC, siya pa rin ang gold medalist [sa Kata] at nadagdagan pa ng silver sa kumite, and also for Rafael kasi last AYCC, bronze medalist at na-maintain ang status niya. Its a very tough competition, talagang dumaan sa butas ng karayom ang mga bata. And for Romeo, im very proud kasi even as a first timer, talagang nagperform siya in his kata, at nag-rank 5 pero sa kumite, dinominate talaga ang division.", said Dagohoy in an interview with People's Journal Tonight.

Dagohoy emphasized the training program that implemented for the youth karatekas to maximize their international exposure and to grow skills-wise.

"I'm very happy that our program is very effective for the kids, at malaking tulong ang local competitions kasi yan ang training ground nila to boost their confidence and skills.", he added.

Dagohoy is also confident that the country's three medalists have the potential to sustain their success on the international stage and eventually earn spots on the senior national team.

"The future of Philippine karate is very good because these kids are really improving and has a lot of potential of performing at their young age.", Dagohoy ended.

Earlier, Karate Pilipinas President Richard Lim bared that the country will host three international youth competitions next year, the KarateOne Youth League Manila, Asian Youth League and the Southeast Asia Plus Youth Games.

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