THE seven-member Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao team struck for a total of three gold medals and four bronzes at the close of the Super Karate Kids Championships at SM City Bacoor, Cavite recently.
Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC)-Bajada's Arthur Y Lao III cornered the boys 14-15 kata and kumite golds while AAK Davao-Honbudojo mainstay Herma Panal clinched another gold in the women's open kumite event.
The bronze medalists were University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) karatekas Claudia Rose Villaluna in girls 14-15 kata, Ma. Michelle Castillo (girls 14-15 kumite) and Jeofrey Albarico (men's open kumite) as well as AAK Davao Honbodojo's Homer Panal (men's open kumite).
AAK Davao head Rommel Tan said their Bacoor stint served as part of their tune up preparations for the Gojukai Asia-Pacific Championships in Singapore set on September 11.
Lao, Castillo, Villaluna and Albarico will be joined by Assumption College of Davao's Jhon Albert Albarico, Stella Maris Academy of Davao's Carmela Marie Estarija, Brainworks' Sebastian Regis, Davao Central High School's Kassandra Danielle Barnes and veteran Pretie Joy Goc-Ong in the Singapore-bound AAK Team Philippines.
The team is backed by Zimmons Industries, TKS Petron and Ricks Carwash. (MLSA)