World No. 1 James De los Santos captured his ninth gold medal this year in record fashion after breaching the 27-point mark.
The online karate sensation De los Santos ruled the second leg of the Katana Intercontinental League Paris by posting 27.44 points against the 26.32 of world No. 2 Domont Matias Moreno of Switzerland.
Since he joined the e-kata competition last year, De los Santos twice recorded the highest total of a 26-point output, which resulted in him winning the gold medals in two tournaments.
“When I made a personal record by hitting the 26-point mark, I said to myself that I’ll aim to hit a 27 eventually,” said De los Santos. “Hitting that mark is difficult, and I’m surprised with myself that I did it.”
It was in that second leg of Katana that he recorded his second 26-point total when De los Santos downed Moreno 26.64-25.06 in the final.
Last year, the former national team member placed fifth overall in the second edition of Katana, but he won gold medals in the third, fourth and fifth legs of the event – the last one was in December. (Waylon Galvez)
Laguna cheesers rip Cagayan bets in PCA
The Laguna Heroes whipped the Cagayan Kings, 17.5-3.5, to keep their share of the lead in the Northern Conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference Saturday.
United States-based Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla forced Jojo Foz to resign after 42 moves of an English Opening in their board one encounter as the Heroes improved to a 27-4 win-loss record – the same record of the San Juan Predators.
Also delivering victories for Laguna were Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo in board 2 to 7.
Literatus downed Danilo Bartolome in 31 moves of an Alekhine Defense, Enriquez bested Krizza Mae Biggayan after 50 moves of a Sicilian Defense, Gomez smashed Emerson Aquio in 38 moves of a Queen’s Pawn Opening, and Lorenzo edged Jefferson Tugade in 56 moves of a Sicilian.
Prior to their win against Cagayan, the Heroes crushed the Antipolo Cobras, 19-2. (Kristel Satumbaga)
Singaporean expert in Sports Summit
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) brings world-class Singaporean sports biomechanist Dr. Marcus Lee, in-charge of Team Singapore, in the 7th session of the National Sports Summit 2021 entitled “High-Performance Sports and Athletic Success” this Thursday.
Lee manages the national team of Singapore providing support in biomechanics and injury prevention. He heads the Sport Biomechanics team of Singapore Sport Institute and is a director on the board of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez shares the need for Filipino sports educators, trainors, coaches, and stakeholders to gain awareness in this field.
“We need to open the pathways for Philippine sports by allowing them to learn from experts in sports science. We are beyond grateful to Dr. Lee for sharing his expertise,” said Ramirez
