MEDAL HARVEST
Davao City karatekas haul 12 golds in Regional Prisaa Meet
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - Davao City karatekas lived up to expectations by harvesting a total of 19 gold medals and three silvers at the close of the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) 11 Regional Meet at the University of Mindanao Tagum College gym here Tuesday evening.
Davao del Norte took three golds and 19 silvers.
Dabawenyo Jammel Taunan cornered three golds to lead Davao City’s medal haul.
Taunan, an incoming fourth year Criminology student at UM Davao, won the men’s kumite 55-kilogram division gold over Jerson Songalia of Davao del Norte who salvaged the silver instead.
He also steered Davao City’s team kumite to a golden finish with teammates Louise Decripito, Shinji Rex Tacay, Mark Gil Yriarte and Davie John Escala.
National Prisaa Games 2017 men’s best player Taunan’s third gold came from team synchronized kata event as he joined forces with Yriarte and Tacay.
He attributed his triple feats to hard work and discipline.
“Gaiwas jud ko sa mga bawal, bisyo, soft drinks... regular jud ang tulog, balance sa kaon og Dili kalimtan ang Ginoo ( I keep myself from vices, soft drinks.. I sleep at the right time, eat a balanced diet and remember the Lord),” Taunan, who hails from Elenita Heights in Mintal, said in an interview with Sun.Star Davao.
The champion, who bagged one gold, one silver and one bronze in the Iba, Zambales Prisaa National Games last year, said he already anticipated sweeping three golds in the regional qualifying for the 2018 national finals set in Tagbilaran City in Bohol on April 21 to 28.
Taunan, who dreams of becoming a police officer, said, “Sakto man gud akong training (I was confident with my training).”
Dabawenyos who will also advance to the Bohol nationals are other division champions Decripito (men’s -55kg), Escala (men’s -67kg), Shinji Rex Tacay (men’s +84 kg), Yriarte (men’s kata individual), Idel Grace Flores (women’s -50kg), Ethel Grace Flores (women’s -55kg) and Annalou Silvosa (women’s +68 kg).
Davao City women’s kumite team of Ethel and Idel Flores, Alexandra Barriga and Anna Marie Canete also emerged champion.
Davao del Norte’s golds were courtesy of Lester Salamanca (Men’s -55kg), Lyeryn Raudto (women’s -61 kg) and Rudelyn Gregorio (women’s -68kg).
Tournament Director Edgardo “Bing” Grandeza congratulated the winners but he also encouraged the silver medalists to keep training as they would represent the region if the champions won’t be ready.