Even with new hobby, Delos Santos still perfect for the year

Lately, e-kata world No. 1 James delos Santos has taken up a new hobby that is as far away from his sport as anyone could imagine: Competing in singing via streaming app Kumu.

And he’s doing a good job at it, too.

He placed second recently in the Metro Best New You contest, which he described as “a tough competition.”

“I believe that it’s also great to expand your interests; it shouldn’t just revolve around one,” Delos Santos told the Inquirer.But the Inquirer Sports Awards top athlete finalist is not about to quit his day job.

Last Saturday, the former Southeast Asian Games bronze winner picked up his sixth gold medal in as many tournaments to start the year.

For his latest conquest, he defeated American Alfredo Bustamante for the Athletes e-tournament Trophy World Series 1 title, 25.4-24.34.

“Yes, I won in all of the first six tournaments I’ve joined so far this year,” said Delos Santos. “I plan to join as many tournaments as I can to maintain the No. 1 spot.”

He has 20,250 ranking points, almost 10,000 points ahead of Switzerland’s Matias Moreno Domont, who has 10,410. Silvio Cerone-Biagioni of South Africa has 9,090. INQ