PH sends young bets to world karate open

YOUNG bets banner the Philippine team set to compete in the World Karatedo Federation Karate Cup Open starting this Friday in Busan, South Korea.

Ramon Niño Franco, Rexor Romaquin and James delos Santos—members of the national team that bagged the team kata silver in last year’s Southeast Asian Games—lead the country’s 21-man delegation in the tournament pitting top karatekas from 100 countries.

“I have been training hard for this tournament the last three months and I want to make my mark in Korea,” said Filipino-Jordanian Sharif Afif, who will represent the country for the first time in the men’s -84 kilogram division in kumite (sparring).

The 19-year-old Afif was a gold medalist in the last POC-PSC Philippine National Games.

“We want to build up on our modest gains in last year’s Indonesia SEA Games so we are sending a young squad,” Philippine Karate Federation secretary general Raymund Lee Reyes said in the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Malate.

Other members of the team are Rondolf Maraggun (men’s -67kg. kumite), Princess Joanne Ylanan (women’s -65kg. kumite), Princess Sicangco (-61kg. kumite), Mary Antoinette Ailes (-60kg. kumite) and Gay Mabel Arevalo (-55kg. kumite).

“While we know that the field will be strong in Korea, I’m certain that the Filipinos will do their utmost best to bring honor to the country,” said Iranian coach Ali Parvifar.

Lined up in the cadet division are Alexander Lay, son of national coach David Lay, Bryan Fontillas, Charles Bonaqgua, Mark Andrew Manantan, John Marc Claveria and Kristelle Ira Zabala.

Reyes said the tournament will be a good exposure for the team before the the country hosts the 2nd World Shotokan Cup this November in Cebu City. Jasmine W. Payo