Carmela Marie C. Estarija: The fan who overcame her idol

UNDERDOGS don't always end up under.

That's what 11-year-old Carmela Marie C. Estarija proved when she upset World Cup champion Nadene Flores of Manila in the Super Karate Kids Championships AAK Internationale at SM Mall of Asia last month.

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Ella, as she is fondly called by loved-ones, told this writer: "It was tough and challenging playing against my idol (Flores). We even had an extension on time when we were vying for the gold medal."

She said Flores, a mainstay of Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Megamall, had been unbeaten for the longest time.

"She used to sweep the gold medals in every tournament she joined in the past that's why it really was a great honor for me to play against her and come out victorious," she added.

The youngest in the brood of three, Ella had truly made her parents Charlemagne and Gloria proud for achieving more than what was expected of a neophyte.

She got into the sport barely a year ago.

Where and when was your first local competition? What was your finish? My first local competition was here in SM City Davao, I got 2 golds.

"I was 10 when I learned to play the sport through my father's encouragement. My Grade 5 adviser Kay Rica Avila encouraged me to join the karate club," she shared.

The Precious International School of Davao (PISD) elementary graduating student made her competition debut in the 2009 Super Karated Kids at SM City Davao where she copped two gold medals.

She said, "I really felt nervous but I just prayed hard, did my best and gave everything that I could in the competition."

She followed that up with two more golds in the national tournament also held at SM City Davao on April 25 and 26.

Ella first barged into the international scene with two silver finishes in the 29th Karatedo Goju-Kai Singapore Annual/Invitational Championships on September 5, 2009.

In the Tropang Growee 2010 Inter-School Age-Group Karatedo Championships held on February 20 at Gaisano South Citimall, she clinched three gold medals.

"I really love karate. It disciplines me and gives me positive attitudes towards my studies. It develops my self-esteem," she said.

She thanked her parents, coaches, teachers and God for their inspiration to help her become a better athlete and a better person.

She admitted to be a great fan of homegrown talents like Jhon Albert "Chubs" Albarico and Pretie Joy "PJ" Goc-ong.

"Both are good in kata(forms) and in kumite(sparring). I also idolize Sonny Montalvo, Jamie Lim, Nadene Flores and Carlo Murillo," she ended.