KORONADAL CITY — The Davao City-based Raika Karate Kan martial arts club captured the overall championship at the 2nd Shizen Karatedo Tournament Mindanao-Wide Interschool, held Oct. 3–4 at the KCC Mall of Marbel.

Fielding 25 young athletes from Davao, the delegation collected 89 total medals — 48 golds, 25 silvers, and 16 bronzes — across kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) divisions.

Periodized Preparation

Behind the team's dominant performance was a structured, three-month periodized training regimen developed by Head Instructor Teodoro Belisario, RN, a 5th Dan Blackbelt.

The program progressed from cardiovascular conditioning and fundamental techniques in the first month to technical execution and tactical speed in the second. In the final month, training centered on reaction time, timing, and emotional control, allowing the athletes to peak without physical fatigue.

"I consistently remind my students: 'You are not entering the tournament simply to win medals. You are there to demonstrate your best karate, take control of your performance, and compete with confidence, discipline, and sportsmanship. Winning should be the result of your preparation, not your only purpose,'" Belisario said.

Top Performances

Leading the individual standings was Zuri Alison Cosare, who secured four gold medals across the Novice Kata and Novice Kumite 10–11 age categories.

  • Three-Gold Winners: MJ Kael H. Alandy, Francine Daenne Donaire, R-Jay Itliong, Faith Layco, Mark Stanley Medina, Jemarie Kristel Nunez, Jasmine M. Tanguanco, and Jermaine M. Tanguanco.

  • Two-Gold Winners: Carlvin Matteo D. Antiporta, Psalm Ronan Balana, Zoe Martinez Infestan, Yaseen Deron Iway, Cassiel Nana P. Lisbos, Dylan Tyler C. Mallari, and Sophia Krishna Nunez.

  • Four-Silver Winners: Joseph Karl D. Branson Dongiapon and Samantha Martinez Regencia.

The tournament brought together martial arts leaders from across the country, including Renshi Odelon Penaflorida, national president of Washimekaikan – Kyudokan Higa-Te Philippines, who traveled from Manila to attend alongside Belisario.

Values Over Victories

Despite the medal haul, Belisario emphasized that character development through integrity, respect, and discipline remains the club’s core objective. He noted that competition serves primarily as a testing ground for emotional maturity and self-control.

"A gold medal does not automatically make someone a good karateka. How they treat opponents, accept defeat, manage emotions, and carry themselves after victory matters just as much," Belisario explained. "My goal is not merely to produce tournament champions, but to develop young people who become disciplined athletes, responsible individuals, and respectable members of society."

Community Support & The National Stage

Belisario credited parental involvement as essential to the athletes' growth, describing development as a shared responsibility between instructors, students, and families.

Rather than viewing the South Cotabato victory as a final destination, the club used the tournament as a practical assessment to identify technical and tactical areas needing refinement before upcoming national competitions.

The team will next represent Mindanao at the Washimekai National Karatedo Tournament 1st Kyoshi Mar M. Navarroza Legacy Cup on Oct. 23–24 in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. Additionally, two of Belisario's students are preparing for the Batang Pinoy Nationals in Bacolod City this December.

"The medals are achievements we celebrate today, but the character and values we develop in our students will be the legacy we leave for tomorrow," Belisario said.