■ Harley F. Palangchao
The Baguio Brazilian jiu jitsu has emerged victorious when its athletes won 12 gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals in the Jager Manila Open Jiu Jitsu Championship & Southeast Asian Friendship Game on Jan. 13 and 14.
Former mixed martial arts world champion Honorio Banario and Dexter Plays PH (code name) led the Baguio BJJ team of Prof. Gibran Langbayan, winning a combined four gold medals.
Dexter Plays PH won three gold medals in gi on day one and two and no gi on day two while Banario clinched the gold in the gi.
Alex Aspilan also equaled the performance of Dexter Plays PH, as he won three golds in gi, no gi, and no gi absolute.
The other gold medalists in the gi were Kevin Bakian, Yves Austria, Sandino, and Joaquin while the gold medalists in the no gi were Kevin Juniosa and Zues Thorenstone.
Leading the silver medalists were Dexter Paglinawan and Harry Soriano with three and two medals, respectively.
Other silver medalists were Yves Austria and Sandino Joaquin while the bronze medalists were Leland Marquez, Yves Austria, and Alexyz Aeon Allan-Bronze.
Goldwin Amos Langbayan served as the team’s coach during the tournament that drew top BJJ practitioners in the country.
