Kart champ shows wares in rugby players

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning Karter of the Year Joey Orduna always excels in wherever he puts his heart and mind into. And after making history as the youngest karting champ in the field of motorsports, Joey is now etching his mark in a new passion – rugby.

Just recently, the 14-year-old Orduna represented the country as part of the 36-man International School-Manila delegation of Grade 7 and 8 students in the Touch Rugby International Invitational Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He played as part of the first string team that competed against International School-Kuala Lumpur, the Jakarta International School and the Australian IS of Kuala Lumpur.

The delegation, composed of three teams of 12 players each, was accompanied by coaches Joseph Conte, Diana Van Der Merwe, John Niall Highland and mixed team coach Caroline Stannard who was all praises for the whole delegation.

With Orduna in the first string Red Mixed Team were Jung Ho Kim, Yuske Fukuyama, Hyung Jun Kim, Alex Gotianun, Harry Gaskin, Yong Seok Kim, Andrea Narciso, Karina Swee, Andie Ayala, Lynda Bray, and Valerie Toze.

“The students had a fantastic attitude during the whole tournament and were a credit to the school,” said Stannard.

But playing rugby doesn’t mean Orduna will be leaving the karting scene. He is due to compete in the kickoff leg of the 2010 Asian Karting Open Championship set June 11-13 at the Carmona Racetrack where he lead the oath of sportmanship.

“I’m raring to race, I missed it. School is my priority for now that’s why I had to forego two karting races in Batangas and Boomland,” said Orduna.

“Of course, I will not miss this one because it’s a fight for the national flag and I’m hoping to deliver the laurels for the country,” he added.