Both of the kata teams performance gave a spectacular end to the campaign of Team AAK-Philippines at the World Cup. Prior to capturing the 2 first place World Cup trophies, AAK was able to haul in 3 Second place World Cups trophies and 5 third place World Cups trophies in the same tournament.

The first day of events began with the individual categories in kumite (sparring) with Daryl Ray Dumayas Sempai bursting into the finals of the 13 years old Boy’s Kumite. Daryl Dumayas Sempai showed excellent use of Jodan Geri (kicks to the head) demolishing 5 rounds of opponents from different nations like Uzbekistan, Germany, Egypt, Iran and Russia before entering the finals. Unfortunately, Dumayas fell a point short against Belgium’s Renaud Evans of the Champions Club to a score of 3-4 thus placing second in his event. Team AAK-Philippines again placed second in the 10-11 years old Girl’s Kumite courtesy of Raissa Mikaela Velasquez of AAK St. Scholastica’s College Manila. She battled with 2 Germans and 1 Israeli in her pre-qualifying rounds. Her finals match was with Kirsty Lewis of Wales where Raissa Velasquez lost to a score of 2-4. In the 12-13 years old Boy’s Kata, Roberto Miguel Velasquez Sempai also captured the second place trophy. Miguel Velasquez Sempai enjoyed 5 rounds of 3-0 flag wins against competitors from Uzbekistan, India, Germany, Russia and Italy before losing to Russia’s Apti Daoudov in the finals.

The 3 Second place finishes were soon followed by 4 Third place finishes that same day. The first bronze medal came from the 10-11 years old Girl’s Kata category courtesy of Raissa Velasquez. Four pre-qualifying rounds showed her dominating all her opponents to a 3-0 flag vote before losing her semi-finals bout to 1-2 flag vote against home crowd favorite Germany. Raissa Velasquez regained composure to win her repechage match capturing AAK’s first bronze medal of the tournament. Stephanie “Tani” Carol Lim Sensei of SM Megamall also placed third late in the afternoon in the 16 years old and Above Women’s Kata. Using Shito Ryu Kata, she overwhelmed her opponents in three (3) pre-qualifying rounds to a 3-0 flag vote before losing her quarterfinals bout 1-2. Tani Lim Sensei bounced back to take both her repechage matches in the same dominating fashion as her pre-qualifying rounds.

Seniors Kumite soon followed with Joel Eddie Mallillin Sensei and Homer Panal Sensei both placing third in their respective weight categories. Joel Mallillin Sensei began his campaign by winning four of his pre-qualifying rounds in the Under 65 Kilograms Men’s Kumite before losing to eventual champions Artem Tsoukanov of Russia the semi-finals. One could note Joel Mallillin’s route to the Semi-Finals included National team members from South East Asian neighbors Malaysia, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei and Asian neighbor Iran who all became easy fodder for Joel Mallillin Sensei. The last trophy of the first day of competition for Team AAK-Philippines came from the Under 72.5 Kilograms Men’s Kumite category courtesy of Homer Panal Sensei who won easily against opponents from Germany, Iran, Chinese Taipei and Russia before bowing out in the semi finals.

Second day of the tournament highlighted team events that began with kumite. That morning, Team AAK - Philippines took home another third place trophy in the 14-15 years old Boy’s Kumite. The team is composed of Daryl Dumayas Sempai of AAK SM North EDSA, Norman “Sonny” Montalvo Sempai of AAK Jose Rizal University, Vincent Filologo Pante Sempai of AAK Ateneo de Manila University, and Miguel Velasquez Sempai of AAK Paramount Fitness Gym in Makati City. The 14-15 years old Kumite Team of AAK - Philippines outclassed teams from Uzbekistan, and Germany as well as repechage opponent Italy, losing only to finalist Russia.

Last of the tournament events were the Junior and Senior Mixed Synchronize Kata where the Under 16 years old AAK-Philippines Team composed of Norman Montalvo Sempai, Vincent Pante Sempai and Miguel Velasquez Sempai out shined teams Egypt, Germany and Italy to capture the first place World Cup. In the 16 years old and Over Mixed Team Kata, AAK Philippines Team composed of Tani Lim Sensei, Joel Mallillin Sensei and Rex Resurreccion Sensei also placed first by defeating teams from England, Slovak Republic, Italy, Egypt, Iran, and Germany.

Team AAK-Philippines was able to place fourth overall after first place Russia, who sent a 50-athlete delegation, second place Champions Club of Belgium and third place Egypt that also sent a 50-athlete contingent. There were around 1,200 athletes representing more than 30 countries in the tournament.

During the tournament Juan Carlos “Chino” Veguillas Sensei showed his officiating skills as he was promoted to Kata Judge and Kumite Referee B by the KOI Referee Council. The Referee Council cited Chino Veguillas Sensei’s excellence and proficiency in both theoretical and practical application of the rules of competition. The examination is similar to that of the World Karatedo Federation (WKF) Referee exam where KOI President Tommy Morris Sensei of Scotland heads the Referee Council. Richard Lim Sensei who is already a licensed WKF Judge headed one of the competition areas or mat during the tournament.