CAGAYAN de Oro City — Tacurong’s karate delegation collected 15 gold and eight silver medals at the 4th Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. Karate Cup 2026 held Sept. 19-20 at the Provincial Capitol Dome in San Jose, Dinagat Islands.
The 13-member Tacurong Karatedo Association (TKA) contingent competed in Kata and Kumite events against karatekas aged five and above from different parts of the country.
Michael John Patrick Rizano led the gold-medal haul with two golds in Senior Male Kumite. Elthon Jan Jandugan also won two golds in Cadets Male Kumite.
Prince Jireh Lasquite added two golds and a silver in Age Group Male Kumite, while Ryzza Bracamonte took two golds and a silver in Age Group Female Kata and Kumite.
Crizel Ann L. Butil contributed a gold and a silver in Senior Female Kumite.
Other TKA medalists included Avril Salise, Leandre Lounel Baron, Zeddrick Dwayne Letigio and Vrieth Kelvin Lasquite, who posted gold and silver finishes in their respective divisions.
Joshua Zembrano and Nicole Dalmino each won gold medals, while Khyfer Jay Huquire and Althea Braza added silver medals.
The tournament was held as part of the 20th Kaadlawan nan Probinsya celebration and BUGKOSAN sa Isla 2026 festival.
Other delegations also posted strong results. Central Mindanao Colleges’ AKAI-CMC Lions, representing Cotabato Province, finished with nine gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.
The Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1 contingent from San Fernando, La Union also produced medalists. PMSg Gideon N. Notario won a bronze in individual kumite and two silver medals in double and team kumite, while Pat Gelli B. Campos won gold in female individual kumite and silver in team kumite.
The TKA credited parents, sponsors and the Tacurong City government under Mayor Lina O. Montilla for supporting the delegation’s participation.
The Dinagat tournament gives the Tacurong athletes another competition experience as they prepare for upcoming provincial and national karate events.
