Pasay: A medal remained elusive at home as the Philippine team missed two chances to snare at least a bronze on the third and penultimate day of the Karate One-Youth League at Mall of Asia Arena.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ysabella Varias was the first to go, bowing to Romanian Momanu Alexandra in the bronze medal match of the cadet kumite female -61 kg division. Varias, a 15-year-old student of Paco Catholic School in Manila, failed to follow up on a previous win against Russian opponent Mariia Seredo. Alexandra took control in the final minute, securing a 4-0 victory. "We both gave our best, but I felt some pressure," Varias commented, expressing satisfaction with her fourth-place finish.
In another match, Carl Caruana was unable to complete the full two minutes of his bronze medal match against Russian Levon Shaishian. Competing in the cadet kumite male +76 kg category, Shaishian quickly gained a 6-0 lead before Caruana scored a yuko. Despite being on track to finish the match, Caruana was bested when Shaishian achieved an ippon with 0.7 seconds remaining, resulting in a 9-1 lead. World Karate Federation rules dictate that a match ends if a fighter opens an eight-point lead.
Caruana, an incoming college freshman at Central Mindanao College, stated, "I am not just looking for a medal. My real aim here is to learn so I can win in the next competitions." Before starting his collegiate career, the native of Antipas, Cotabato will compete in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa under the Soccsksargen banner, where karate will appear as a demonstration sport from May 24 to 31.
