THE Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao retained the over-all crown by collecting a total of 13 gold medals, six silvers and seven bronzes at the close of the Super Karate Kids Mindanao Age-Group Championships in Bukidnon Sunday.
AAK Davao coordinator and chief instructor Rommel Tan on Tuesday said Jhon Albert Albarico of the Assumption College of Davao led the medal haul with two golds in the boys 10-above division.
Davao Christian High School's Oona Ysabelle Barnes, Precious International School of Davao's Christian Gil Tarnate and Holy Cross of Davao College's Arthur Lao also clinched two golds each.
Barnes took the girls eight to nine years old kata and kumite golds while Tarnate topped the boys seven-above kata and kumite events and Lao ruled the same events in boys 14-15.
Kassandra Danielle Barnes also got a kata gold in girls 12-13 while Sebastian Regis of Brainworks added another kata gold in boys eight-nine.
The other gold medal winners were Claudia Villaluna of the University of the Immaculate Conception (girls 10-above kumite) and Abe Janica Moratin (boys 14-15 kata) along with Herman Panal (women's openweight seniors kumite).
Regis and Villaluna won silvers as well as Alena Yasie Regis (girls 12-13 lata), Carl Villaluna (boys 12-above kumite), Jeofrey Albarico (65-below seniors kumite) and Pretie Joy Goc-Ong (women's openweight seniors).
Marymhel Papa ( girls 10-above kumite), Jerus Rupert Papa (boys 10-above kumite), Kassandra Barnes (girls 12-13 kumite), Alena Regis (girls 12-13 kumite), Michelle Castillo (girls 14-15 kata and kumite) and Adz Cherry Grace Labog (women's openweight seniors kumite) completed the rout.
Tan said the 25-member team's performance exceeded expectations as it bested seven other teams from all over Mindanao that also competed in the one-day meet.
He lauded the dedication of his other coaches Dodong Bacalla, Homer Panal, Frank Rivas and Jeff Albarico.
Tan also thanked the AAK-Davao parents, TKS Petron's Mike and Esther Te, Zimmon Industries' Noel Bacalla, Beefit Gym's Jimmy Javier and Escapes Unlimited Travel and Tours' Jadee Uy for their usual support to the team.