THE three-member Association for the Advancement of Karate (AAK) Davao clinched three gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the 7th Viet Hat Open Karate-do Championships in Hanoi, Vietnam Sunday.
Bemedalled karateka Sofia Agullo of Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) bagged two golds while John Paul Ponce of Precious International School of Davao (PISD) annexed one gold for the Rommel Tan-mentored AAK Davao.
Agullo dominated the girls 15 to 17 years old kata and the girls 15 to 17 years old kumite in the event that lured some 400 karatekas from Asia.
Ponce, however, ruled the boy's 13 to 14 years old kata event while finishing with a bronze medal in the boy's 13 to 14 years old kumite event.
Tan's daughter, two-time So Kim Cheng (SKC) athlete of the year Atsuko Kaiyel of Davao Christian High School, fell short of the gold but salvaged the silver instead in girls seven to eight years old kata event.
Tan said they dedicated the medals to the Ramirez siblings, Jam and Janna, who weren't able to join the contingent.
"Namatay yung relative nila the day paalis na kami," the older Tan said in a Facebook interview with SunStar Davao.
He said their Vietnam stint was a success, adding that they are happy to be at par with other teams.
He also thanked the Davao City Sports Council, Incorporated; Jay and Jo Anne Ramirez, Maethel and Edgar Ponce, Ruth Agullo, PISD, Addu and Davao Christian High School for their support.