by Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Iloilo Tinagan School of Martial Arts Inc. (ITSMAI) represented Western Visayas and the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Karate Federation (SEAKF) held from April 24 to 26, 2024 at the Bangkok Youth Center in Bangkok, Thailand. It was active.
After three days of intense karate competition, five karate practitioners from ITSMAI turned heads and impressed during the prestigious sporting event.
Leading the ITSMAI participants was Yan Michael Lozada, one of the most decorated students of the Iloilo-based martial arts organization.
Lozada won the bronze medal in the junior division, marking ITSMAI's highest finish in an international tournament.
The young athlete was one of the participants in the -55kg category of men's kumite, competing against Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos in the campaign.
Meanwhile, Patricia Claire Giudilla, EA Benedict Posadas, Pio Jomary Giudilla and Hearst Renner Saul rounded out their international experience in the qualifiers.
Before traveling to Thailand, ITSMAI had already gained the necessary confidence and experience by winning several national and local tournaments over the past few months.
Last April 6, 2024, ITSMAI won the 11th RNKA Karate Championship held at City Mall, Mandalagan, Bacolod City.
At the end of a day packed with action-packed events at the prestigious tournament, the talented Ilonggo Karate athletes won a total of 18 medals, including seven gold, six silver and five bronze medals.
The Ilonggo representatives were guided and supervised by Mr. Gerald Tinagan, a veteran leader and one of the pillars of ITSMAI.
