MANILA — The Philippines delivered a strong finish in the prestigious Karate One-Youth League after young Filipino karatekas Francis Erl Jud Abundo and Kathleya Elaine Bustamante captured gold medals against foreign rivals at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Abundo dominated Brunei’s Azlee Khairi bin Wan Zuraimi with a commanding 7-0 victory to rule the boys’ under-14 kumite -40-kilogram division in the tournament sanctioned by the World Karate Federation and organized by Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc.
The Filipino standout showcased relentless attacks and crisp striking to overwhelm his Bruneian opponent in the finals after also turning back WKF-1 standout Nikita Komarov, 7-3, in the semifinals.
“Akala ko magiging close fight siya dahil finals,” said Abundo. “Triny ko po mag-attack pero hindi siya nag-counter kaya’t sinabayan ako ng sipa at suntok, at hayun nanalo ako.”
Bustamante later delivered another gold medal for the host nation after defeating Australia’s Ana Jovic, 6-2, in the girls’ under-14 kumite -47kg category.
The Grade 7 student from Notre Dame University established control early and never looked back en route to the championship victory.
“This victory feels so good because this I have never had this before. This was a totally a surprise for me,” Bustamante said. “I am very happy that I reached my best to reach this.”
Bustamante added that she hopes to carry her momentum into the upcoming Palarong Pambansa scheduled to open on May 24 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, where karate will be featured as a demonstration sport.
The Philippines also bagged two silver medals courtesy of Dean Caleb Montalbo and Alexa Rae Vallesteros in the boys’ and girls’ under-14 kata competitions, respectively.
Montalbo absorbed a narrow 3-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Moayad Alqahtani, while Vallesteros bowed to Japan’s Kyoka Okamoto, who scored a dominant 5-0 victory.
Ashana Geanne Sabote earlier clinched the country’s first medal with a bronze in the girls’ kumite -42kg class after edging fellow Filipino Niela Aieza Albano, 2-1, in the repechage round. Kaylani Vergara contributed another bronze medal after defeating Serbia’s Andrea Nikolic, 4-1.
The host country wrapped up the tournament with a total haul of two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in the event that drew nearly 800 karatekas from 58 countries./PN
