World Memory: Lambunao seeks IMM title

FOR THE past three years Jamyla Lambunao has been a dominant force for the Philippine memory team having set three world records in the 12-under Kids’ division in the World Memory Championships.

Now 13, the Philippine memory team’s youngest player is competing for the first time in the tougher 17-under Juniors’ division, which the Mongolians have dominated in the past two years.

Still, the ninth grader from St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina is confident she can make a mark when she competes in the 23rd World Memory Championship in Hainan, China, on Dec. 11 to 13.

“The Juniors division is a different challenge. Everything should be adjusted to higher standards and my training became more intense,” said Lambunao, who is aiming for a medal finish and the International Master of Memory (IMM) title in Hainan.

In last year’s event in London, Lambunao brought home 10 medals, making her the event’s most bemedalled competitor. She also set two world records in the Kids’ division by memorizing a total of 151 random words in 15 minutes and 206 random numbers in five minutes.

The previous world records were made by Lara Hick of Germany (70 words) in 2005 and Hu Xinyun of China (202 digits) in 2010.

Lambunao nailed her first world record in the Kids’ division when she was able to recall 280 digits in the 15-minute numbers event last year in Hong Kong.

“At a very young age, Jamyla has shown diligence and extreme passion for memory sports,” said Lambunao’s coach, Anne Bernadette Bonita.   “Since this will be her first year in the Junior division, we had to devise a program especially for her.”

Germany, Sweden, Mongolia, USA, China, UK, Japan, Indonesia and India are also competing.

OTHER PH TEAM MEMBERS: GMs of Memory  Mark Anthony Castañeda and Erwin Balines, Axelyancy Tabernilla, Roberto Racasa