La Salle karatekas shine in Korean tilt

MANILA, Philippines -  The La Salle Green Hills karate team came away with an impressive performance in the 2012 International Karatedo Juniors, Cadets and Children Games, winning one gold, one silver and three bronze medals in Busan, Korea recently.

Sophomore Alenn Gabriel Castro bested a tough field to rule the Under-52kg Cadet (14-15 years old) male kumite (sparring) division and nail his first international gold medal.

On his way to the finals, the diminutive Castro brought down rivals from Korea, Russia and Iran, impressing the field with Jodan Geri (kick to the head) against his taller opponents.

After falling short in their respective individual kumite and kata events, the LSGH troika of Jordan Craig Guevara, Dustin Nicolo Yu and Gabriel Villaluz redeemed themselves by winning the silver medal in Team Kumite (boys’ U-14).

Guevara, a freshman Section H, used his experience and aggressiveness while Villaluz, Grade 6-C and the 2012 Adidas (Japan) Karatedo Cup titlist and national champion crushed his rivals with Jodan Geri, overpowered his rivals and posted an abbreviated 8-0 win in the semis.

On the other hand, Yu, freshman Section-D, proved his worth as he held his ground against the best in the field, stopping his rivals with Jodan Tzukis.

The bronze medal winners were Alwyn Batican, also a sophomore (2-F), in the Under-70kg Cadets Male Kumite, Stephen Adrian Yu, of Grade 6-A, in the Under-12 years old Boys’ Kumite, and Dustin Nicolo Yu in the Under-14 years old Boys’ Kumite. Dustin Yu won his bouts by executing quick Gyaku Tzukis (reverse punches) to the head and body.

Also sharing the spotlight was the Under-12 years old team of Stephen Adrian Yu, Amir Rahnema of Grade 6-C and Adam Bondoc of Xavier School, which took home the team bronze medal in the event which drew over 500 athletes from over 30 karatedo teams all over the world.

Team Philippines, headed by LSGH karatedo program manager Rex Resurreccion, was composed of 15 athletes, including nine LSGH bets.

Yu stood at the forefront of the team’s campaign while Rahnema showed his dominance by executing strong and unopposed Jodan Tzukis (punch to the head).