Following the victories of the Negros Occidental karatedo team in the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games in December 2023, they are qualified for the upcoming Southeast Asian Karatedo Championship to be held in Thailand this April, after the team took home several medals in the recently concluded 5th Karate Pilipinas National Championship held at Tagaytay Combat Sports Center on March 1 to 3.
Team captain Charles Angelo Rodriguez was awarded the gold medal after defeating his opponent in the senior’s men 55 kg kumite. Jodan Macalipay also took home the silver medal in the U-21 men’s kata category. Ryan Glenn Giray and Steffi Bernice Sarrosa both garnered the bronze medal in the senior’s men 67 kg kumite and cadet girl’s 54 kg kumite categories, respectively.
Other members of the team who participated in the 5th Karate Pilipinas National Championship were Cherry Angela Rodriguez, Elianah Marie Contiga, Ken Cordero, and Tyler Dean Thomson. The team was led by coach Romy Lisondra Jr.
The 5th Karate Pilipinas National Championship was sanctioned by the Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc. (KPSFI) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). It was held as a selection event for the delegates to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Southeast Asian Karatedo Championship in Thailand this April, and the Asian Karatedo Championship, which will be hosted by the Philippines, in August.
Three members of the Negros Occidental Karatedo team who qualified for the Southeast Asian Karatedo Championship include Rodriguez, Macalipay, and Giray.
According to the press release, karate is among the sports events supported by the provincial government of Negros Occidental through its Abanse Negrense Sports Programs, an initiative spearheaded by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.*
