The Baguio City Team brought home one gold, three silver, and 13 bronze medals in the recent All Luzon Karate-Do Championship in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.
Andrea Marzan led the team with a gold medal win in kumite (combat) while teammate Mhelbert Romero bagged silverin kumite and bronze medal in the kata (form).
The other silver medalists are Lehmann Buyogan in kumite and Fryne Shammy Sagsago in kata.
Contributing bronze medals in kumite are Zeke Cuison, Rodini Buyogan Jr., Dennise Acosta, Aleyah Buyogan, Allison Joaquin, and Carmie Joy Paydooan in the sparring event.
In kata, bronze medalists are Alkeith Bag-ayan, Dwayne Carrera, Dennise Acosta, Pearl Sagsago, Franzine Sagsago, and Mea Rose Torres.
The event gathered over 400 young karate-do athletes from Casiguran, Aurora, Dagupan City, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Angeles City, National Capital Region, Pasig City, Tuguegarao City, and Nueva Ecija.
Filipinas Wado Ryu was declared the overall champion with JEV Eagle Hand Aikido/Karatedo in second place, and Pasig Karate-do/ Japan Karate Do Organization in third place. JEV Eagle Hand Aikido/Karatedo bagged the most number of entries.
The event was organized by the San Jose City Karatedo Team/Maharlika Karatedo Kai of the Philippines International, Office of the Vice Mayor in San Jose City, and the city council.
It was sanctioned by the Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc.
Sensei Rodini Buyogan said the team underwent indoor and outdoor training prior to the event, which is also in preparation for other upcoming events in the city.
Some of the participants were among the athletes who were screened to represent the city in the upcoming Batang Pinoy 2022 set in December in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, Buyogan said the Baguio Day Karate-do Invitational Tournament, organized by the Japan Karate Association Baguio City Chapter under sensei Edgar Kapawen Sr., is set on Oct. 30 at the Baguio City National High School auditorium. – Ofelia C. Empian
