THE UST Tiger Judokas took home three gold, one silver, and five bronze medals in the 2024 Philippine Judo Federation National Judo Championships held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on April 28 to 29.
UAAP Season 85 MVP and sambo national team member Chino Sy claimed the gold medal in the men’s half-heavyweight under-100 kg division after outclassing Laurence Sy and Sian Guevarra.
Sy showed his dominance on the men’s openweight mat after dismantling Robert Maala in the semifinals and former Tiger Judoka Daryl Mercado in the finals to nab his second gold.
UST’s team captain Tristan Reyes and UAAP Season 86 silver medalist Rael Abujos bagged the silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men’s heavyweight over-100 kg division.
“Even though we lost our crown this season, we showed during the nationals that we are getting stronger to reclaim our crown,” Reyes told the Varsitarian. “While not all of us entered due to the fees and scheduling conflicts, it showed us what we have to do and how much we have to grow in reclaiming our crown.”
Janry Pamor bagged bronze in the men’s extra-lightweight under-60 kg category, while his fellow Tiger Judoka Adrian Cadampog also snatched bronze in the half-middleweight under-81 kg division.
In the women’s division, reigning UAAP women’s half-heavyweight under-70 kg champion Jeniva Consigna continued to exhibit her prowess after decimating UE’s Aescie Ramos and Alyzza de la Cruz for the gold-medal finish.
Lady Judokas’ team captain Iza Azilum and sambo national team member Princess Cortez bagged bronze medals in the women’s lightweight under-57 kg and half-middleweight under-63 kg categories, respectively.
“It’s a good thing we learned and scouted our opponents this early so we have a lot of time to prepare as we are still in the process of rebuilding,” Gerard Arce, the Lady Judokas head coach, told the Varsitarian. “It’s a good start in developing a new program for the team.”
Former Lady Judoka Aislinn Yap also ruled the women’s heavyweight and openweight categories, while fellow alumna Khrizzie Pabulayan snagged silver in the women’s half-lightweight under-52 kg division.
