Checkmat PH grabbed 11 gold medals enroute to claiming the over-all title in the 43rd Team Lakay Grappler’s Cup at the YMCA gym on March 2, besting other gyms and MMA clubs in the longest running grappling tournament competition in Luzon.
With Checkmat reclaiming the over-all title, Team Lakay’s coach Mark Sangiao, who was instrumental in starting the competition to hone the skills of up and coming fighters, can’t help but get overwhelmed with the increasing number and at the same the leveling – up of skills of participants.
“Participants are getting younger, and we are also seeing new faces in the tournament. The technical skills of every competitors have also leveled – up,” said Sangiao.
Kidden Juan (seniors male advance 51-57kg), Seth Tauli (seniors male advance 58-64kg), Brill Espada (seniors male novice 72-79kg), Charles Calawen (juniors male advance 65-71kg), Rafael Donglasan (juniors male advance 51-57kg), and Adriel Lorenzo Velilia (juniors male advance 50kg below) led the the gold medal onslaught for Checkmat PH.
Also grabbing the gold for Checkmat PH are Ian Joash Sapul (kids male 10-12 years old 60-66 kg), Michael Tauli Jr. (kids male 10-12 years old 39-45kg), Klien Allan (kids male 13-15 years old 46-52 kg), Leon Mao Dangiwan (juniors male novice 51-57 kg) and Hezron Keith Chupisna (juniors male novice 58-64 kg).
Checkmat PH also won seven silvers and eight bronze medals with Keith Diong-an winning the fastest submission award after finishing his foe in nine seconds via guillotine choke.
Kaitagi Judo Club meanwhile took home nine golds, and four silvers to finish second in the over-all standings led by Kit Jaiden Basungit (kids male 9 years old 25-31 kg), Chloe Elize Maskay (kids female 10-12 years old 39-45kg), Brent Samuel Aquino (kids male 10-12 years old 25-31 kg), Marco Vin Milaris (kids male 10-12 years old 32-38kg), and Zack Laurence Berol (kids male 10-12 years old 46-52 kg) Kaitagi’s Romina Macaspac (kids female 13-15 years old 53-59 kg), Kate Tiffani Habab ((juniors female 50kg below), Leane Siddayao (juniors female b 50kg below) and Juan Gawwi Bulayo (juniors male novice 72-79kg) also took home gold medals for the team.
UC Jaguars roared to third place finish with its five golds and two silvers courtesy of Lilian Sumayao (seniors female 51-57kg), Rayjed Sayud (seniors male advance 65-71kg) Kurt Sumilao (seniors male advance 72-79kg) Mary Grace Carluen (absolute division – women) and Rayjed Sayud (absolute division – men).
Gridlock/Sniper Gym came in fourth with 4 golds, 5 silvers, and 2 bronze medals led by Hazel Gipaan Idorot (juniors female 51-57kg), Kurt Jihad Nievera (seniors male novice 58-64kg), Arthur Linmayog (seniors male novice 65-71kg), and Christian Aplosen (seniors male advance 80kg above).
Louie Sacay of Lakay Central Gym meanwhile bagged the best submission award with his modified chicken wing lock.
The 43rd Lakay Grappler’s Cup presented by Team Lakay is in partnership with YMCA of the City of Baguio and supported by Cong. Eric Go Yap.
-TL PR
