The Filipino Judoka delegation from the recently concluded Macau International Judo Cadets and Juniors Tournament, held on July 19 and 20, at the Pavilhao Porlidesprtivo Tap Seac, Macau, brought home a total of thirteen medals, including one gold, six silvers, and six bronzes, across three divisions.
Miam Salvador took home the bronze at the -44kg in the Cadets division after a first round loss to Chinese Taipei. Beatrice Que bagged a silver medal in the same category at the +70kg, after losing to South Korea.
The Juniors division saw nine Filipino judokas bring home medals, with Dylwynn Keith Gimena bringing home the Filipino team’s only gold medal at -78kg. Marie Angelie Gerena (-57kg), Kevin Luis Tiongson (-90kg) and Almer Suga at (-60kg) had chances to bring home more gold for the Philippines but fell to pins after reaching the final round. Dianne Bargo (-63kg), Charizze Panganiban (-48kg), Sri Anabo (-52kg), and Luis Benigno Agustin (-100kg) chipped in one bronze each.
Ryan Christian Benavidez weighing in at -55kg brought home another silver in the Juvenile division after defeating his opponents from Macau and Chinese Taipei with an Ouchi Gari( inner reap) and a Uchi Mata(inner thigh throw) respectively. Benavides lost to his oppoenent from Hong Kong in the final round. Sean Levyn Panganiban took home the bronze at -50kg after losing in his first round via a yuko point and a penalty against Hong Kong, but was awarded the medal after beating another athlete from Hong Kong.
“The competition is Asian level because the judo powers were present like Korea, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, Australia. Most of our athletes were on their first international competition, and the results reinforced our commitment to train harder and smarter” commented Juveniles Boys and Girls coach Evelyn Panganiban.
“Personally, I think competition serves as a learning experience and a moral boost for the players. They were able to showcase their skills, the Philippine brand of Judo, against other countries and learn as much as they could to be better in the Sport.” says Juniors Boys coach Gerardo Payno III, whose boys brought home most of the medals for the Philippines. “In addition, most of the defeats were in grappling situations which is a facet of judo that the delegation should focus on as well. Overall I believe, when we train and compete, we should try and develop a more pro-active than just a reactive type.”
The Philippine Delegation
Coaches
Gerardo P. Payno III (Coach for Juniors – Boys)
John Gil T. Landingin (Coach for Cadets)
Catherine Joy Lariosa (Coach for Juniors – Girls)
Evelyn Panganiban (Coach for Juveniles – Boys & Girls)
Athletes
Juvenile Division
1. Sean Levyn Panganiban -50kg (Valenzuela City Math & Science High School)
2. Ryan Christian Benavidez -55kg (Manila Central University)
3. Elijah Claravall (La Salle Greenhills)
Cadets Division
1. Carl Patrick Afable -60kg (FEU Fern)
2. Psyche Jeth Gonzales -66kg (FEU Fern)
3. Miam Salvador -44kg (St. Mary’s Academy of Caloocan)
4. Beatriz Que +70kg (UP Diliman)
Juniors Division
1. Almer Suga -60kg (UP Diliman)
2. Ramon Delos Reyes -66kg (La Salle Greenhills)
3. Von Kieffer Yu -81kg (UP Diliman)
4. Kevin Luis Tiongson -90kg (UP Diliman)
5. Luis Benigno Agustin +100kg (UP Diliman)
6. Charizze Happy Panganiban -48kg (UP Diliman)
7. Sri Anabo -52kg (UP Diliman)
8. Maria Angelie Gerena -57kg (UP Diliman)
9. Dianne Bargo -63kg (UP Diliman)
10. Dylwynn Keith Gimena -70kg (UP Diliman)
11. Mary Jheahlyn Villena -78kg (UP Diliman)
