A CEBUANA karateka has won silver in the first of three online kata events sponsored by an international sports brand.

Janine Narboada, 13, of Barangay Talamban, Mandaue City, won second place in the recently concluded Shureido World League E-Kata competition held last July 22 to 31.

Narboada, a member of the Sports Karatedo Organization (SKO) of Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, is the lone Cebuana to participate in the female Under 14 of the three-series event.

Narboada, along with 32 other karatekas from various parts of the world, competed in the competition in the comfort of their own homes as most countries have yet to allow sports competitions especially if these involve mass gatherings.

No problem training

Jess Paredes, SKO chief instructor, said that despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Narboada and the rest of his students were still able to continue practicing and competing.

“We have no problem when it comes to training. All you need is a stable internet connection and a space where you can practice. We still continue to practice from Monday to Saturday for two hours a day despite the pandemic,” Paredes told SunStar Cebu.

Though Narboada was the only Cebuana able to compete during the first part of the competition, she and other SKO karatekas are set to join the second and third parts of the series on Aug. 19 to 28 and in September,

respectively.

This wasn’t Narboada’s first stint in an international competition.

She reaped golds during the 1st Shureido Cup in Malaysia and during the Asia-Pacific Gojukai Cup in Lapu-Lapu City last year.(JKV)