ASK hauls nine golds in National Invt'l karatefest

CEBU, Philippines - The Advocacy for the Strengthening of Karatedo (ASK) under Sensei Larry Avila carted away nine gold, eight silver and three bronze medals during the 1st National Invitational Karate Championship over the weekend at the third level of J Centre in Mandaue City.

Among those who came up with golden performances for the Talisay City-based karate club were Rome Florenz Metante (kata, 8-under), Cody Magtagad (kumite, 8-under), Natasha Miles Pellerin (kata, 9-under), Denice Doreen Metante and Reiner Angelo Cruz (kata, 12-under), Jesah Mae Ann Bacus (kumite, 13-under), Marjorie Villareal (kata 16-under), Gwen Jade Ponteros (kumite, 15-under) and Tracy Lynne Basalo (kata, 15-under).

Villareal, and Metante also contributed silver medals along with Joan Iñigo, June Edrian Raganas, Julibeth Parsomala, Warlito Ponteros I and Jimpaul Punay.

Team ASK also clinched silver in synchronized kata seniors division courtesy of Tracy Basalo, Joan Iñigo and Gwen Ponteros.

Those who bagged bronze were Ponteros, Iñigo and Niño Kime Avila in kata 5-under category.

Avila said seven of his wards including Daniel Fernandez and Chand Kaur are set to leave for Manila on Thursday to see action in the 1st Philppine Karatedo Federation (PKF) NSA Inc. National Championships on May 12-13 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Afterwhich, they will train their sights on the Philippine National Games (PNG) starting on May 26 in Dumaguete City.— EBV (FREEMAN)