Amid the pandemic and their respective academic online classes, three young karatekas of Karate Fighting System-Bacolod City won gold medals and made headlines during the recent 7th Nishimura Cup International E-Tournament.
Francis Zohann Kalaw, Carlo Barias, and Kirc Gabriel Samulde impressed the judges with their impressive form to earn the gold medal in separate categories.
Learning from their veteran mentors sensei Randy Mengullo and sensei Elan Delfin, the three karatekas represented not only the KFS-Bacolod but also the country during the international tournament.
Kalaw won the gold in 9-Under boys novice kata, while Barias ruled the 9-Under boys advance kata. Samulde earned his gold meda in 17-Under boys novice kata.
“We are overwhelmed with the results of the tournament. God has always been our guide,” sensei Mengullo said, as he expressed his pride with their three young wards.
He said that the pandemic compelled the to close their dojo in March, and despite the lack of regular training, the KFS-Bacolod karatekas managed to win medals in every virtual competition they joined.
“Thanks to the supervision of our parents and the online advices of our two senpais, Ferlie Mae Lall and Gerrine Kaye Perez, the results of the tourrnaments were in our favour,” Mengullo added. – NAB
