The Philippines closed out its campaign in the Karate One-Youth League on a high note after Francis Erl Jud Abundo and Kathleya Elaine Bustamante captured gold medals Sunday at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Abundo dominated Brunei’s Azlee Khairi bin Wan Zuraimi, 7-0, to secure the boys’ under-14 kumite -40kg title in the tournament sanctioned by the World Karate Federation and organized by Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc.
The victory came just a day before Abundo’s 13th birthday.
“Akala ko magiging close fight siya dahil finals,” said Abundo, a Grade 7 student from Agustinian Abbey School of Las Piñas.
“Triny ko po mag-attack pero hindi siya nag-counter kaya’t sinabaya ako ng sipa at suntok, at hayun nanalo ako.”
Abundo also impressed in the semifinals, where he defeated WKF-1 standout Nikita Komarov, 7-3, behind a series of strong body attacks.
Bustamante later delivered another gold medal for the host nation after beating Australia’s Ana Jovic, 6-2, in the girls’ under-14 kumite -47kg division. She established an early lead and maintained control throughout the match.
The General Santos City native became emotional after the win.
“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, a Grade 7 student from Notre Dame University, said she hopes to sustain her momentum heading into the Palarong Pambansa set to open on May 24 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, where karate will be featured as a demonstration sport.
The Philippines also collected two silver medals through Dean Caleb Montalbo and Alexa Rae Vallesteros in the boys’ and girls’ under-14 kata events, respectively.
Montalbo narrowly bowed to Saudi Arabia’s Moayad Alqahtani, 3-2, while Vallesteros fell to Japan’s Kyoka Okamoto, who scored a dominant 5-0 victory.
Ashana Geanne Sabote earned 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 added another bronze after defeating Serbia’s Andrea Nikolic, 4-1.
The host nation ended the competition with two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in the event, which attracted nearly 800 karatekas from 58 countries.
The post Abundo, Bustamante strike gold in Karate One-Youth League tilt first appeared on Fastbreak.
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