THE Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao City Chapter lived up to its billing as one of the country’s best after hauling six golds, two silvers and three bronze medals to place second overall in the recent 3rd Annual Karate Hakuakai Philippines Championship Online Karate E-Kata international tournament.
Seven year-old rookie Heleina So led AAK Davao’s gold medal haul winning it in the 7 years old and below Novice Kata Girls division followed by Zacchary Subang in the 8-9 years-old Boys Novice Kata. National training pool member Stephen James Cartagena also made his presence felt winning a gold medal in the 16-17 years-old Boys Intermediate Kata while Ian Carlos Pascual had his winning ways in the 16-17 years-old Boys Advance Kata.
Completing the gold medal haul for the Rommel Tan coached AAK Davao delegation were Robert Dayanan Jr. (8-9 years-old Boys Intermediate Kata) and Ian Carlos Pascual (16-17 years-old Boys Advance Kata) and Liam Japeth Lim (10-11 years-old Boys Novice Kata)
The six-gold medal haul for AAK Davao placed second overall in the standings behind AUK-JKH Cebu which finished eight golds, five silvers and two bronze medals while BAKMARI HK of Hongkong is at third with three golds, four silvers and three bronze medals. Some 19 local and international clubs which saw 200 entries took part in the two-day online tournament which was sanctioned by the Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Incorporated.
AAK Davao’s silver medal were from Vryzyse Krebs (7 years-old Girls Novice Kata) and Jared Dale Nirza (16-17 years-old Intermediate Kata Boys) while its bronze medal finishes were from national training pool member Aldren Solon (14-15 years-old Boys Intermediate Kata) Jamie Danielle Nirza ( 12-13 years-old Girls Intermediate Kata) and Julian Ambrose Ramirez (18 years-old and above Boys Advance Kata).
“I’m very proud and happy with the team’s performance especially with the rookies. Sumikap talaga sila para manalo. We hold our practices online with diligence. Special thanks to the parents for their support on our online classes as this is AAK Davao trust to continue our training especially in the new normal,” said Tan who is also the regional director of Karate Pillipinas Sports Federation Incorporated.
