Raphael “Rapha” Herrera is a rising star in Philippine sports. At 12 years old, his playground is mostly on the tatami mat of karate gyms around the country and abroad — both to train and compete.
The son of former child actor and now motivational speaker RR Herrera, the younger Herrera basks in his own limelight in sports.
Rapha has proudly represented the Philippines in the 2nd Asian Youth Open Karate Championship & Training Camp, held last August 12–16, 2025 in Linping, Hangzhou, China. Competing in the Male Kata Individual (Under 14) category, he clinched a bronze medal, going head-to-head with over 30 top karatekas from across Asia.
This was no small feat as there were 439 total entries, 235 athletes from 14 countries, 31 teams and 5 athletes from the Philippines, bringing home 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze with Rapha contributing to this medal tally.
Now, Rapha is gearing up for his next big challenge, having qualified to compete in this year’s Batang Pinoy 2025 in the Philippine Youth Games, one of the country’s most prestigious national youth sporting events.
Rapha is also set to compete in the World Karate Federation Youth League next year, which will be hosted by the Philippines. As the national champion in kata, he has earned his spot among the country’s top young karatekas.
His recent victory in China marks the beginning of his international ranking journey, a key step as he prepares for the long road to the Olympics, with karate making its return to the Games in 2032 in Brisbane, Australia. He will be 19 years old by then, right at the prime of his competitive career.
Rapha’s story is a compelling mix of talent, discipline, and legacy, truly an inspiring young athlete blazing his own trail while honoring his roots. His journey resonates with themes of national pride, youth empowerment, and sporting excellence, making him a timely and engaging feature for your audience.
