Baguio judoka-led nat’l team opens campaign in Singapore

THE Baguio led Judo Philippine team formally opens their campaign today in the Singapore Judo Federation sponsored “International Cadet Judo Championship” at the the Bedok Sports Hall, Bedok North Street 2, Singapore.

Franz Darren Kim of University of Baguio, Franz Jedd Andre Kim of SLU High School and Dereck Klarence Dino of the Baguio City National High School together with David Alexander Gordon and Sean Ernest Regal.

Kim will fight in the under 18 category, 81 kgs., while Dino competes in the under 17-years old 69-kilogram (kgs) division with Jedde Andre Kim squaring off in the 14 years old 66Kgs.

The three are members of the YMCA Kaitagi Judo Club under the Cordillera Judo Association.

Both Gordon and Regal came from De La Salle University and will compete in the under 15-years old -60 Kgs and 17 years old under 60Kgs, respectively.

Other members of the team are Jasmin Dino, coach/team manager; Gerard Teruel, referee; and team leader Suzzane Dino.

The Philippine delegation arrived in Singapore Thursday to prepare for a delegates conference and a Judo Training Camp after the competition on the 20th of August.

The day camp will be facilitated by 1996 Atlanta Olympics champion Sensei Jeon Ki Young.

Previously known as the National Age-Group Championships, the International Cadet Judo Championships brings in the best of each country'sunder-21-years judokas to Singapore to compete for championship gold.

The tournament is seen to have spectacular matches with memorable finishes and throws which are unique to the Judo martial art.

The Singapore tournament is one of the many national and international tournaments being eyed by the CJA in its aim to re-establish the sport in the Summer Capital and at the same time serves as a feeder program for Baguio in the hopes of being part of the national team.