Philippine Youth Karate Team bags two golds, four medals in Asian Youth Open

The Philippine Youth Karate Team delivered another impressive performance on the international stage, capturing two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze in the 3rd Asian Karate Youth Open Championship and Training Camp held recently in Hangzhou, China.

Leading the country's campaign was Wifredo Apelledo of AAKR Karatedo, who successfully defended his Under-12 Male Kata title after dominating the same event he won last year as a 10-year-old. Apelledo also added a silver medal to his haul by placing second in the Under-12 Male Kumite (-45kg) division.

Another gold came from nine-year-old Romeo Viktor Enriquez of Fight Alliance Sports Team (FAST)-ISKF, who ruled the Under-10 Male Kumite (+40kg) category. Coached by national team coach and former Karate Pilipinas captain Eugene Dagohoy, Enriquez also reached the Top 5 in the Under-10 Male Kata event.

Meanwhile, 13-year-old Raphael Mariano Herrera continued his impressive international campaign by earning the bronze medal in the Under-14 Male Kata. The Abbas Orchard student secured his second consecutive bronze medal in the annual tournament, which attracted more than 200 young karatekas from 10 countries across Asia.

Ten-year-old Ripley Borromeo also turned in a commendable performance, placing in the Top 5 of the Under-12 Female Kata and the Top 7 in the Under-12 Female Kumite.

Completing the FAST-ISKF delegation were 11-year-old Ellis Canoza and 10-year-old Colin Paolo, while Ysabella Arwen Varias represented the AAKR Karatedo contingent.

"We are extremely proud of what these young athletes accomplished in Hangzhou. Their medals are the result of countless hours of disciplined training, sacrifice, and unwavering determination," said national team coach and former Karate Pilipinas captain Eugene Dagohoy.

"The future of Philippine karate is in good hands. These children have shown they can compete—and win—against the best young karatekas in Asia. This is only the beginning, and we will continue to work hard to prepare them for even bigger international competitions," Dagohoy added.