Pinoy memory bets win silver in UK, advance to world tilt

PADDINGTON, Central London – Filipino Johann Randall Paton-og Abrina grabbed the silver medal for winning the speed cards category by memorizing a deck of cards in one minute, 20 seconds in the just-ended fourth UK International Open Memory Championships in Paddington, Central London Friday.

That also gave Abrina his first Grandmaster (GM) norm. He needs two more GM norms to complete his GM of Memory title.

“Our sacrifices have paid off. We are able to put the Philippines in the limelight again for this worthy achievement. I would like to thank my teammate and personal mentor Robert Racasa,” added the 28-year-old Abrina, a registered nurse.

Racasa impressed tournament participants when he memorized three decks of cards perfectly in order, plus 768 digit binary numbers in 30 minutes, putting him in the elite company of players who can display that mental prowess.

 “This proves once again that the Filipino can be at par with the world’s best memory athletes. And with ample training and preparation, we can even become world champion,” said the 34-year-old Racasa, a former PUP top chess player and adopted son of Mandaluyong City.

The Filipino duo also advances to the World Memory Championships set Dec. 1-6 in Guangzhou, China.