AAK once again showed world class power in the 2nd International Open Junior Karatedo Championships (IOJKC) by garnering 3 Golds, 3 Silvers and 2 Bronze medals last June 21 & 22, 2002 in Mackenzie, British Columbia Province, Canada.
It was in this tournament that former colored belter (now Junior
blackbelter) Daryl Ray Dumayas bagged the only other gold earned by a foreign
country (one came from New Zealand) along with 17 AAK players voted most outstanding
fighters of the tournament in a Japanese dominated competition 2 years ago at
the 1st IOJKC in Nagano, Japan. This year AAK sent a small and very formidable
contingent of 5 who captured medals almost double their number. The AAK students
sent were Kenneth Bryle Jimenez, Jert Stephen Yao and Jules Sendel Yao of AAK
SM Megamall and David John Paulo Israel and Ruski Emrick Sungalon of AAK SM
North EDSA. Team AAK-Philippines was coached by Richard Anthony Lim.
AAK - Philippines immediately grabbed 2 Silver medals on the
first day of competition courtesy of Paulo Israel in the 6-7 years old Boy’s
Kata (Forms) category and Jert Yao in the 14 -17 years old Boy’s Kata
in a Japanese dominated event. Also part of the medal haul were the Bronze medal
finishes of Ruski Sungalon in the 8-9 years old Boys Kata category and Kenneth
Jimenez in the 12-13 years old Boy’s Kata.
Japanese dominance still prevailed in Kumite (Sparring) on
the second day of competition. However, AAK was able to capture 3 gold medals
and 1 silver medal. First up was Paulo Israel’s outstanding performance
in the 6-7 years old Boys Kumite showing opponents his technical skills in executing
Jodan Geri (kicks to the head) in all 4 matches including his finals with Japan.
Not to be outdone was Ruski Sungalon who also captured another gold medal for
team AAK-Philippines in the 8-9 years old Boys Kumite. Also among the gold medallist
was Kenneth Jimenez who not only let down the home crowd by defeating 2 Canadians
in the Quarter and Semi Finals using Jodan Geri to a score of 8-0 & 11-3
but also stopped his Japanese opponent in the Finals 2-1. The Final AAK medal
came from Jert Yao who bagged another Silver medal this time in the 14-17 years
old Boys Kumite.
In total AAK-Philippines placed third overall with 3 Gold
medals following Japan’s 19 gold medals and tournament host Canada with
4 gold medals. A very amazing feat produced by only 5 athletes.
Note: Online results of the recently concluded 2nd IOJKC can be found at the “TOURNAMENT RESULTS” page of the British Columbia Karate website of Canada at http://www.karatebc.org.
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