MANILA – The Philippines will pin its medal hopes on three young karatekas—Sebastian Neil Mañalac, Zian Alexander Sing, and Aeleyah Magrata—in the Karate One Youth League opening Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and organized by Karate ng Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. (KPSFI), the four-day competition is sanctioned by the World Karate Federation and features top youth fighters from around the region.
Mañalac, 17, headlines the Philippine delegation with an impressive international résumé, including medals at the Asian Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championships and a top-10 world ranking in his age category. He has also consistently ruled national tournaments and delivered podium finishes in overseas competitions, including events in China and the United Arab Emirates.
Sing, also 17, enters the tournament with momentum after winning the junior men’s 61kg title at the Shureido International Karate Cup in Indonesia and dominating recent Philippine and international meets.
Magrata, meanwhile, will compete in the junior women’s -66kg kumite division after strong performances in both kata and kumite, highlighted by her Batang Pinoy campaign and a grand winner finish in the Karate Pilipinas junior category.
KPSFI officials expressed optimism that the trio will lead the country’s bid for medals in the prestigious youth tournament.
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