Young Filipino karatekas win medals in Asian championship

Nine-year-old Filipino karateka Romeo Viktor Enriquez won a gold medal in his first international tournament at the 3rd Asian Karate Youth Open Championship and Training Camp held in Hangzhou, China, from July 22 to 26, 2026.

Enriquez, representing Fight Alliance Sports Team–ISKF, ruled the Under-10 Male Kumite (+40 kg) category.

He also placed in the Top 5 of the Under-10 Male Kata competition.

Enriquez was coached by national team coach and former Karate Pilipinas national team captain Engene Dagohoy.

“We are proud to share that our young Filipinos have represented our country well in this Asian tournament,” said Dagohoy, a Southeast Asian Games medalist.

Thirteen-year-old Raphael Mariano Herrera added a bronze medal in the Under-14 Male Kata.

The result marked Herrera’s second consecutive bronze medal in the Asian championship and extended his strong run in international competition.

Ten-year-old Ripley Borromeo finished in the Top 5 of the Under-12 Female Kata.

The press release also listed Borromeo as finishing in the Top 7 in the same event, but it did not provide further details on the two placements.

Ellis Canoza, 11, and Colin Paolo, 10, completed the FAST–ISKF delegation.

The team received support from Hello Money, Toby’s Sports, Homeschool Global Philippines, TLC, Trainstation Inc., Namayan Digital Inc., Edgardo Canoza Jr., the Office of Sen. Chiz Escudero, Socorro Castros, Moona Ko, Peter Tanchi Jr., Kenno Yao, Claudette Santiago, Sheena Jane Lim, Margaux Lim, and Janel Kalaw.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Wifredo Apelledo of AAKR Karatedo successfully defended his title in the Under-12 Male Kata.

Apelledo secured back-to-back gold medals in the event.

He also won a silver medal in the Under-12 Male Kumite (-45 kg).

Ysabella Arwen Varias joined Apelledo in the AAKR delegation.

The teams also acknowledged the support of Lightwater, the Office of Sen. Bam Aquino, Joyce Santiago, Sari Lazaro-Tiu, Riva Galveztan, and Rubee J. Alcantara.

FAST–ISKF has emerged as one of the country’s leading karatedo teams in recent years, with its athletes winning medals in national and international tournaments.

The performances in Hangzhou highlighted the growing competitiveness of young Filipino karatekas and gave emerging athletes valuable exposure against regional opposition.