CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Months of physical conditioning and quiet mental preparation came to fruition as 13 young martial artists from the Tacurong Karatedo Association (TKA) secured 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.

Dinagat Karate Cup

Organized as a cornerstone sporting event for the 20th Kaadlawan nan Probinsya celebration during the annual BUGKOSAN sa Isla 2026 festival, the two-day tournament brought together karatekas aged five and above from across the country to compete in Kata and Kumite events.

For the TKA Warriors, the tournament served as a measure of personal growth and athletic maturity rather than hardware collection. Competing across divisions spanning Under-14 to Seniors, the team maintained steady composure throughout matches.

Double-Gold Medalists

Four delegation members finished as double-gold medalists: Michael John Patrick Rizano in Senior Male Kumite, Elthon Jan Jandugan in Cadets Male Kumite, Prince Jireh Lasquite in Age Group Male Kumite, and Ryzza Bracamonte in Age Group Female Kata and Kumite.

The team’s dynamic was anchored on the mat and sidelines by playing assistant coaches Crizel Ann L. Butil and Rizano. Butil earned a gold and a silver in Senior Female Kumite, while Rizano added two golds in his division.

Coaching Leadership

"When coaches compete themselves, our younger athletes can see firsthand the discipline and commitment required to perform at a high level," said TKA Head Trainer Sensei John Robert L. Butil. "They don't just hear instructions from their coaches—they see those values being practiced."

Butil noted that preparation leading into the Dinagat tournament focused heavily on basic fundamentals, distance control, and maintaining emotional composure during tightly contested bouts.

"Medals are something we are proud of, but they also show us where we can continue improving," Butil said. "Our goal is not simply to win medals; it is to develop athletes who are technically strong, disciplined, mentally prepared, and capable of performing consistently against strong opponents."

Regional Competitors

The provincial cup also featured strong performances from other regional contingents. Central Mindanao Colleges (AKAI-CMC Lions) earned nine gold, eight silver, and three bronze medals for Cotabato Province, while police personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1 (RMFB1) from San Fernando, La Union also demonstrated athletic versatility. PMSg Gideon N. Notario earned a bronze in individual kumite and two silvers in double and team kumite, while Pat Gelli B. Campos claimed gold in female individual kumite and silver in team kumite.

Community Support

The Tacurong delegation credited community backing—including parents, sponsors, and city leadership under Mayor Lina O. Montilla, PhD—for making the trip across regions possible.

"Maraming maraming salamat po," Butil said. "Your support gives our athletes motivation to continue training and representing Tacurong City with pride. Our dream is to see more Tacurong athletes represent our city at the provincial, regional, national, and eventually international level—Tatak Tacurongnon: discipline, dedication, and determination."

Tacurong Medal Winners

Completing Tacurong’s podium finishes were gold and silver medalists Avril Salise, Leandre Lounel Baron, Zeddrick Dwayne Letigio, and Vrieth Kelvin Lasquite; single gold medalists Joshua Zembrano and Nicole Dalmino; and silver medalists Khyfer Jay Huquire and Althea Braza.