Fourteen-year-old Chloe Jane Pascua made her international debut memorable as she helped power a 25-member Philippine-based club team to a 28-medal haul at the Ikigai Kyokushin Warrior 2 full-contact karatedo competition and seminar held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The delegation, composed of athletes from IKO Nakamura Philippines, raked in an impressive 12 gold, 14 silver, and 2 bronze medals in the multi-nation event that drew participants from Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
Pascua, who hails from Pasay City and also practices arnis, captured two gold medals — one in the 13–15-year-old female kata division, and another in the 14–15-year-old intermediate lightweight (under 45kg) kumite category.
“Nakakakaba po noong una, pero naalala ko lagi ang sinasabi ng papa ko. Pinanalo ko po ito para sa Pilipinas at sa mga magulang kong walang sawang sumusuporta sa akin. Gusto ko rin pong ipakita ang aking kakayahan,” shared Pascua, reflecting on her emotional win.
Under the guidance of head coach Sensei Victor Canon, Pascua and her teammate from Parañaque City, Ralph Sinangote, emerged as two of the most bemedalled Filipino athletes in the three-day competition. Sinangote bagged three medals — a gold in the 15–17 y/o open kumite F category, and two silvers in weapons kata and the 17–40 y/o kata division.
“Hindi lang husay ang ipinakita ng team na ito, kundi pati na rin ang tunay na karakter at pagkakaisa,” said the 60-year-old Canon. “This is a proud moment for the entire Kyokushin community in the Philippines.” Canon, who also won a kata all-stars medal, commended the team’s dedication, noting that their participation was made possible through private sponsorships.
Also making a strong impression was 12-year-old Jaq Raphael Legaspi from Bacoor, Cavite, who clinched two golds in the 13–15 y/o kata and Pinan 3 kata open events.
Other gold medalists include Tobias Gabriel R. Oleta, who won in the male kumite 9–11 y/o (Open E); Mikko Uba, in male kumite 12–14 y/o (Open F); John Angelo L. Abuton, in male kumite 12–14 y/o under 45kg (Open E); and Austin Ray T. Saliao, who topped the 7–9 y/o kata (Open C). Merin Luijie L. Cabradilla bagged gold in the 13–15 y/o kata (Open D), while John Venz J. Bacuna dominated the male kumite 15–17 y/o (Open J).
Silver medalists were equally impressive. Isaiah Cassiel R. Oleta earned silver in the male kumite 9–11 y/o (Open G), while Amelia G. Ravindran took second place in the female kumite 16–17 y/o advanced open weight group. Virgil Armand G. Dahilan added a silver from the male kumite 30–40 y/o (Open A) category.
Isabelle O. Arias placed second in the female kata 16–18 y/o division, while Vicente Socrates R. Arias III secured silver in the 18–52 y/o kata (Open A). Austin Ray T. Saliao added a silver in the male kumite 6–8 y/o (Open D), and Elijah Gabriel L. Espinosa bagged two silvers in the 7–9 y/o kata A and the 9–11 y/o under 30kg male kumite (F).
With their spirited performances, the Filipino karatekas showcased not only their skills but also the discipline, unity, and fighting spirit that define the country’s growing Kyokushin community on the global stage.
