Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Malalad snatches gold in South Korea
SEA Games grand slam gold medalist and reality TV star Grethchen Malalad copped the gold medal in the 2nd Korea Open Championship last weekend in Busan, South Korea.
The 26-year-old Malalad, a former Binibining Pilipinas titlist, won a 6-0 decision over a Korean rival in the finals to rule the +65 kg kumite.
Mentored by long-time RP Karate Team coach David Lay, Malalad, the country’s lone entry in the tournament, also bested a Vietnamese foe in a 6-2 decision in the semifinal round.
“Her victory sowed that she’s very much ready for the Asian Games,” said Ponce, who told Sun.Star Cebu earlier that the RP Karate Team is eyeing one gold medal in the fast-approaching Doha, Qatar Asian Games.
Malalad, who was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Accel, is eyeing to surpass her bronze medal finish in the Busan Asiad four years ago where she played with a shoulder injury on her way to the semifinal round.
Aside from the Pinoy Big Brother celebrity, other members of the Karate team who will be vying for medals in the Asian Games are SEA Games gold medalists Maj. Nelson Pacalso and Ma. Marna Pabillore, European Open gold medalist Bern Chu, Bong Toribio, Junel Perenia, Mae Soriano and kata specialist Noel Espinosa.
Except for Malalad and Espinosa, the rest of the RP karatekas are in Naples, Italy for their three-month international training and exposure with Italian coach Giuseppe Romano.
The Italy-based RP Team will be competing for two European meets in the Italy Open Karate Championships on Nov. 25-26 and the San Marino Open Karate Championships on Dec. 1-3.
Before leaving for Doha on Dec. 8, the RP Team will test their mettle against powerhouse teams from Iran, Hungary, Netherlands, and reigning world karate champion Italy. (JAF)
