Pasay: Karate Pilipinas (KP) president Richard Lim took pride in the national sports association's grassroots program as the Philippines ended its home stand in the Karate One Youth League with a bang. On the brink of a rare moment when a host nation fails to win any medals at a global sports meet, the Philippine team finally found shining metals on the final day on Sunday, thanks to six under-14 competitors, headlined by champions Kathleya Elaine Bustamante and Francis Erl Jud Abundo.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lim expressed his happiness with the two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes, attributing the success to the grassroots program established since he became president of Karate Pilipinas. He emphasized that organizing local tournaments like the Karate Pilipinas Champions' League had set the stage for the impressive performance by the young karatekas from the Gen Alpha group.

Lim noted that Bustamante, Abundo, silver medalists Dean Montalbo and Alexa Vallesteros, and bronze medalists Kaylani Vergara and Ashana Sabote will be considered for the Philippine team at the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games next year. He mentioned the possibility of Vallesteros needing to travel from General Santos for national team training.

While acknowledging the U14 karatekas' success, Lim clarified that he does not dismiss the efforts of the cadet and junior divisions, despite their lack of medals earlier in the competition. He explained that the U14 competitors were fortunate, and emphasized that all participants are talented.

Lim also shared that World Karate Federation (WKF) president Antonio Espinos praised the Philippines for exceeding expectations in hosting the Karate One Youth League. Espinos' positive feedback led to an agreement between WKF and KP to host the event again in the Philippines next February, instead of Fujairah, UAE, as originally planned.

Lim expressed hope for replicating their success in the upcoming February event and announced that the WKF's referee congress will also take place during the next Karate One Youth League.