Karate

Young karatekas Abundo, Bustamante deliver golden ending for PH in Karate 1 Youth League

Published

4 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Francis Erl Jud Abundo and Kathleya Elaine Bustamante delivered gold medals for the Philippines, capping a strong home campaign at the Karate 1 Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

A day before turning 13, Abundo showcased his dominance, overwhelming Brunei’s Azlee Khairi bin Wan Zuraimi, 7-0, to rule the under-14 male kumite -40kg division in the tournament sanctioned by the World Karate Federation and organized by Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc.

After three days without a gold medal, Bustamante finally broke through for the hosts, giving the Philippines an early 2-0 lead in the finals before holding off Australia’s Ana Jovic, 6-2, to claim the under-14 female kumite -47kg crown.

Dean Caleb Montalbo and Alexa Rae Vallesteros each added a silver medal in the under-14 male and female kata divisions of the tournament, which was also supported by SM Group of Companies, Lanson Place, and Milo.

Montalbo fell just short in a tight 2-3 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Moayad Alqahtani, while Vallesteros was outclassed by Japan’s Kyoka Okamoto, who secured the title with a 5-0 victory.

Ashana Geanne Sabote opened the Philippines’ medal haul with a bronze, edging Niela Aieza Albano, 2-1, in the repechage round of the kumite female -42kg class. Kaylani Vergara then added another bronze after defeating Serbia’s Andrea Nikolic, 4-1.

Overall, the Philippines finished with two golds, two silvers, and two bronze medals to conclude a productive campaign in the tournament, which was also backed by Citadines Bay City Manila and drew nearly 800 karatekas from 58 countries.

“Akala ko magiging close fight siya dahil finals,” Abundo said.

“Triny ko po mag-attack pero hindi siya nag-counter kaya tinamaan ko siya ng sipa at suntok, at ayun nanalo ako,” added the Grade 7 student from Agustinian Abbey School of Las Piñas, who began karate at age five but took a two-year break during the pandemic.

His path to gold was made smoother after a 7-3 semifinal victory over WKF-1’s Nikita Komarov, where he consistently landed clean body shots.

Meanwhile, Bustamante became emotional after her breakthrough win, saying: “This victory feels so good because I have never had this before. It was totally a surprise for me.”

“I am very happy that I reached my best.”

A Grade 7 student of Notre Dame University in General Santos City, Bustamante hopes to carry her momentum into the Palarong Pambansa, which opens on May 24 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, where karate will be a demonstration sport.

The post Young karatekas Abundo, Bustamante deliver golden ending for PH in Karate 1 Youth League appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Karate

PH hosting Karate 1 Youth League seen as boost to tourism, grassroots sport

Published

1 month ago

May 7, 2026

Kenny Malone

A sound investment in tourism and the sport of karate that will pay dividends immediately and in the long term.

This was how Karate ng Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc. president Ricky Lim described the country’s hosting of the Karate 1 Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, set from May 14 to 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“This tournament will be a huge boost for local tourism,” said Lim, who revealed that over 1,000 promising karatekas from 58 countries will compete in the four-day meet sanctioned by the World Karate Federation.

Among the delegations sending large contingents are Australia with 78 athletes; Saudi Arabia, 40; Malaysia, 47; New Zealand, 39; Kazakhstan, 27; the United States and Uzbekistan, 19 each; and, of course, the Philippines with 201 athletes from across the country, according to the karate chief.

He pointed out that since “our participants are children, we expect most of their parents to tag along, meaning that we can expect at least double the foreign and local tourists to come to Manila for the competition. In fact, the Malaysian youth team was set to arrive yesterday so they can train with our young local karatekas.”

Lim added that alongside the athletes, officials of the World Karate Federation, led by WKF president Anthony Espinos of Spain, and the Asian Karate Federation will also preside and officiate in the event, which is backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, SM Group of Companies, Milo, and Lanson Place.

Given the metropolitan appeal and famed hospitality of Filipinos, who are generally fluent in English, Lim said, “we can expect our foreign visitors to use the opportunity to sample the culture, food, sights and sounds of Manila and outside of it.”

“Of course, these visitors can be expected to go shopping, bringing home mementos of their experiences from the trip.”

Lim said the event reflects PSC chairman Pato Gregorio’s advocacy that “sports tourism, when properly done, can serve as a major source of income for our country while providing sustainable jobs for those in the industry.”

“Our collective engagement in hosting the Karate 1 Youth League is a sound investment that will have immediate dividends and beyond.”

The karate chief also emphasized the significance of the global youth karate festival for emerging local athletes, who will compete against international counterparts over four consecutive days in high-level competition.

“Now our young karatekas and their coaches will not have to go overseas to compete against the best of their peers in their respective age group. This would be more expensive,” Lim stressed, noting that the tournament is also supported by Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, Senators Pia Cayetano and Bong Go, and Citadines Place Manila.

“Now not only will they get to see top-flight karate action but also serves as a learning experience for four straight days,” the karate honcho added.