PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Fifteen-year-old Stephen James Cartagena ended his first and last Batang Pinoy national stint on a high note, delivering a gold medal for Davao City at SM City Puerto Princesa City here Thursday afternoon, August 29.
The Brokenshire College ninth grader defeated a karateka from Paranaque in their kumite boys 14-15 -70 kilograms championship match.
“Sa start di ko pa alam anong gagawin pero in the middle of the fight, ganado na ako kasi winning na ako,” he said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao yesterday.
Having his parents around during his match motivated him even more to win the gold.
“Kahit first and last ko na ito sa Batang Pinoy. Worth it naman lahat ng pagod sa training. I pushed myself to win kasi maraming nag-expect na mag gold ako, ayaw ko silang ma-disappoint,” he added.
The city’s karatedo team clinched two golds at the close of the tournament. Robert Avancena earlier captured the boys 12-13 boys kata gold medal. (MLSA)