Congratulations to several members of the UE Red Warriors Judo Teams for competing strong and emerging victorious at this year’s simultaneous Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games (PNG)!
Hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and held before Christmas time at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila starting last December 17, senior and junior Judo Warriors made their mark across the twin events’ judo tournaments—with the Batang Pinoy Judo Tournament held on Dec. 18-19, and the PNG Judo Tournament unfolding last Dec. 20-22, all at the Olympia Community Complex in Barangay Olympia, Makati City.
At Batang Pinoy, nine Judo Warriors amassed as many medals. Leading the winners are five gold medalists: Grade 11-ABM students Dennice Tan (in the 48 kgs. weight division), Albrene Borja Junior (50 kgs.) Grade 12-HUMSS students Sweet Goddess Trillo (52 kgs.) and Rupert Frederick Fernandez (60 kgs.), and Grade 8 student Jamaica Damarra Trinos (77 kgs.).
Winning a silver medal each at Batang Pinoy 2023 are three Grade 12 students: Alexza Louisse Gatdula (ABM, 52 kgs.), Eric Kaede Rodriguez (STEM, 55 kgs.) and Jhen Rose Mae Obeja (HUMSS, 57 kgs.), while Grade 9 student Quency Khiah Alcala (48 kgs.) won a bronze medal.
At this year’s Philippine National Games, Warrior Judokas won four gold medals, three silvers and four bronze medals.
Earning a gold medal each were UE Graduate School (GS) student Jewel Ann Rafael (48 kgs., Seniors’ Division), BS Psychology student Joemari-Heart Rafael – Gold (52 kgs., Seniors’ Division), Gr. 12-HUMSS student Mikaela Mae Palima (48 kgs., Juniors’ Division) and BSBA major in Business Management graduate Ma. Jeanalane Lopez (44 kgs.)
Attaining silver medal finishes were UE GS student Leah Jhane Lopez (48 kgs., Seniors’ Division), BS Psy student Krystanna Chantel Resente (57 kgs., Juniors’ Division) and Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Sciences graduate Jed Mark Pumay (60 kgs.)
Ms. Resente likewise won a bronze medal (57 kgs., Seniors’ Division) as did BS Hospitality Management student Aescie Anne Ramos (63 kgs., Seniors’ Division), Gr. 12-STEM student Jovahn Apocalypse Dwayne Ditchella (73 kgs., Juniors’ Division), and BSBA-Business Management graduate Raul Baldos Jr. (73 kgs., Seniors’ Division).
In the process, our Warrior Judokas also represented their respective local government units in the said competitions. Among the LGUs they repped were Navotas, Antipolo, Manila and Muntinlupa, with some of the red-and-white Judokas competing as part of the National Judo Team.
These victories came in less than a month after our Warrior Judokas made their red-and-white mark and took home sweet victories from the UAAP Season 86 judo tournaments.
Among other feats, the UE Red Warriors Women’s Judo Team emerged as the UAAP 86 Women’s Judo Tournament Champion after winning a total of 11 medals: four golds, one silver and six bronze medals, and Joemari-Heart Rafael was awarded Most Valuable Player.
The UE Red Warriors Girls’ Judo Team likewise emerged as Champion of their UAAP 86 tournament, winning seven medals in all: five gold, one silver and one bronze medals, along with the MVP award for Sweet Goddess Trillo and the Rookie of the Year award for Jamaica Damarra Trinos. (Further details here: //www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=736169448536152&set=a.621495613336870.)
The entire UE Red Warriors Judo Team is under Head Coach Rodimple Rodriguez, with April 2018 UE Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting graduate Claudine Nargatan, and UE College of Business Administration-Manila and UE SHS Manila ABM Strand and Sports Track Guidance Counselor Dianne Rodriguez as Assistant Coaches.
Congratulations and kudos, UE Red Warrior Judo Athletes!
Go fight, Red and White! GO FIGHT, RED AND WHITE!
[Info and photos courtesy of Head Coach Rodriguez]