Francis Erl Jud Abundo and Kathleya Elaine Bustamante delivered gold medals for the Philippines, capping a strong home campaign at the Karate 1 Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
A day before turning 13, Abundo showcased his dominance, overwhelming Brunei’s Azlee Khairi bin Wan Zuraimi, 7-0, to rule the under-14 male kumite -40kg division in the tournament sanctioned by the World Karate Federation and organized by Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc.
After three days without a gold medal, Bustamante finally broke through for the hosts, giving the Philippines an early 2-0 lead in the finals before holding off Australia’s Ana Jovic, 6-2, to claim the under-14 female kumite -47kg crown.
Dean Caleb Montalbo and Alexa Rae Vallesteros each added a silver medal in the under-14 male and female kata divisions of the tournament, which was also supported by SM Group of Companies, Lanson Place, and Milo.
Montalbo fell just short in a tight 2-3 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Moayad Alqahtani, while Vallesteros was outclassed by Japan’s Kyoka Okamoto, who secured the title with a 5-0 victory.
Ashana Geanne Sabote opened the Philippines’ medal haul with a bronze, edging Niela Aieza Albano, 2-1, in the repechage round of the kumite female -42kg class. Kaylani Vergara then added another bronze after defeating Serbia’s Andrea Nikolic, 4-1.
Overall, the Philippines finished with two golds, two silvers, and two bronze medals to conclude a productive campaign in the tournament, which was also backed by Citadines Bay City Manila and drew nearly 800 karatekas from 58 countries.
“Akala ko magiging close fight siya dahil finals,” Abundo said.
“Triny ko po mag-attack pero hindi siya nag-counter kaya tinamaan ko siya ng sipa at suntok, at ayun nanalo ako,” added the Grade 7 student from Agustinian Abbey School of Las Piñas, who began karate at age five but took a two-year break during the pandemic.
His path to gold was made smoother after a 7-3 semifinal victory over WKF-1’s Nikita Komarov, where he consistently landed clean body shots.
Meanwhile, Bustamante became emotional after her breakthrough win, saying: “This victory feels so good because I have never had this before. It was totally a surprise for me.”
“I am very happy that I reached my best.”
A Grade 7 student of Notre Dame University in General Santos City, Bustamante hopes to carry her momentum into the Palarong Pambansa, which opens on May 24 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, where karate will be a demonstration sport.
