Phl rules 2nd World Shoto Cup

CEBU, Philippines - Hosting the 2nd International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) World Shoto Cup 2012 proved gratifying for the Philippines as it snared the overall championship of the quadrennial meet last Saturday night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Brgy. Lahug, this city.

At the end of the two-day contest participated in by over 300 karate masters from 16 countries around the globe, the Filipino bets shone the brightest and stood the proudest after raking in a total of 51 medals broken down into 21 golds, 15 silvers and the same number of bronzes.

Team Philippines got off to a blazing start, hauling 18 golds in the juniors division behind the efforts of Prince Andreen Zipagan and Franchesca Reign Lim, who topped the 16-17 years old individual kata (forms) event. Zipagan and Marimar Fontanillas also stamped their respective classes in the kumite (sparring) action.

The rest of the Pinoy gold medallists in the juniors category were Marione Mae Rebanal (14-15 girls kumite), Alexander Lay and Gabrielle de la Rosa (12-13 individual kata and kumite), Geoff Millard (10-11 boys kata), Roi Lao (10-11 boys kumite), Lalor Deang (10-11 girls kata), David Ian Tubana (8-9 boys individual kata), Andi Tindugan (8-9 boys kumite), Urielle Joaquin (8-9 girls kata) and China Fontillas (8-9 girls kumite).

It was also an all-Filipino showing in the team kumite and kata competitions, with Orencio del los Santos striking the final gold medal for Phl in the men's individual kata.

“We really credit the juniors team for the success. Yes, it is true that we have the biggest number of participants but it was really the skills and the quality of our karatekas that win it for us,” said ISKF Philippines director David Lay.

Canada, which hosted the inaugural World Shoto Cup in 2008, took the first runner-up honors with five gold, four silver and seven bronze medals, while dethroned champion United States could only settle for third place this time with a 3-3-6 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.

Argentina grabbed four silvers and three bronzes, while Germany and Australia bagged one silver and one bronze, respectively.

South Africa, which will stage the third edition of the event in 2016, took home two silvers and five bronzes.

“We will try to defend our title in the next World Cup in South Africa but we still have a lot of things to do. Aside from training and getting quality players, we will also work on the funding for our team,” said Lay. (FREEMAN)