THE UST Judokas did not only win the twin championships this UAAP season. They also took home the most valuable player awards in both men’s and women’s division.
Sueko Kinjho, who helped the Lady Judokas win four championships in her five years in the UAAP, continued the long tradition of Thomasian MVP’s after adding the MVP plum to her collection of four UAAP titles and herRookie of the Year award.
“I’ll carry [those awards] forever and I know it will make me smile when I get older,” Kinjho told the Varsitarian. “Those are things that I’ll be happy about when I look back at my UAAP judo career.”
Though the Lady Judokas ran away with the title without much contention, it was a tough year for Kinjho who had to balance judo trainings with her Graduate School study. With her Business Administration night classes coinciding with the women’s team practice hours, she needed to train with the men’s team to keep her body in tiptop shape for the upcoming season.
She was also the only Thomasian in her weight class after her partner was disqualified for surpassing the weight limit.
But those hardships did not matter as Kinjho went undefeated in three matches to lead the Lady Judokas to their sixth championship in seven years, cementing their name as UAAP judo’s queens.
For Male Judoka Daryl Mercado, his MVP award isdedicated for his grandmother who passed away days before the tournament opened.
Mercado skipped training days to stay in his grandmother’s wake but missed the day of her burial to focus on the tournament.
“I said, ‘Sorry, mommy, this game is for you,’ because she really wanted to watch me but unfortunately, she did not reach my game day,” Mercado said.
Despite his grandma’s absence, Mercado was delighted when his entire family, who are often absent during tournaments, and childhood friends attended his competition for the first time.
Two days after winning the MVP plum, Mercado went to his grandmother’s tomb to show her his awards.
“I was already happy with the gold medal but getting the MVP award was really special because the first time my family watched me play, I got the award.”
