Metante leads JKA in E-Mall karatedo

Erlando Metante, Jr. led Japan Karatedo Association's rampage by plucking two of the three gold medals in the kata and kumite events in the second day of the Elizabeth Mall Sports Challenge karatedo event at the E-Mall Food Square.

Metante delivered his first gold for JKA in the open weight category kata-shotokan-seniors division, outsmarting the multi-awarded Jim Paredes of SKO.

Richard Claros and Joel Ricablanca settled for bronze medals.

In the kumite event-open category, Metante reaffirmed his dominance, prevailing over University of Cebu's Lester Cardeño while Avelino Suan and Ricablanca nailed the bronze.

But later in the day, Ricablanca rebounded gallantly from his losses for a grand finish after nosing out Kim Enriquez of EKC in the -65kgs kumite event to hand JKA's third gold. UC's James Dawa and Leonyl Iren salvaged the bronze.

UC's Jasmin Espinosa, on the other hand, also carved a name of her own she ran away with two gold medals in the kata-shotokan women's open category, edging Mary Ann Vergara of DKA-Consolacion while the other gold was in the kumite, ruling over Joann Iñigo of ASK Dioshimma.

Iñigo took the reigns women's 48 kgs kumite event, silver went to Ana Marie Pajares of DKA Consolacion while Maivee Booc and Marilou Nadores of Cebu Normal University shared the bronze.

Analou Villamor of DKA Consolacion won the gold in the women's 53kgs kumite, CNU's Berney Joy Maing settled for silver while Galili Aiza Nacario and Pernes Bonghanoy copped the bronze.

Allan Cavalida of the University of the Visayas outclassed Dale Daño of UC to snatch the men's 60kgs kumite title while Chiquito Benlot of UV and Ricky Pancho of JKA finished with bronze medals.



In the men's open kata-shorin, Miguelito Torremocha of the Winnie dela Rosa Okinawan got the better off his twin brother Jessie Ray to salvage the title as the rest of the Okinawan karatekas took the bronze courtesy of Eral Randy Pomarijos and Neil Macapañas.

Michelle Real, for her part, bagged the gold in the distaff side.

Also, Jaime Sumalinog of Lapulapu Martial Arts Club claimed the boys 12-13 years old kata title while teammate Alejo Pancho ruled in the kumite event.

Bamasko's Donita Rose Tacay snagged the girls 12-13 years old kata, while Jose Francisco topped the boys 14-15 years old.