NAKAMIT ni Filipino karateka James De los Santos ang World No.1 ranking sa e-kata competition.

Nagsimula ang kampanya ni De los Santos noong Abril sa kasagsagan ng paglaganap ng COVID-19 pandemic hanggang sa marating ang tuktok ng rankings matapos umani ng kabuuang 15 gold medals sa iba’t-ibang e-kata tournament.

Inabot din si De los Santos ng pitong buwan para maagaw ang No.1 ranking sa dating nangungunang si Eduardo Garcia ( 8,575.00 )ng Portugal sa pamamagitan ng naisalansan niyang 8,950.00 puntos.

“I proudly raise this virtual flag with triumph. I am the new world no.1 eKATA player,” ani De los Santos sa kanyang social media account.

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“When I hit the no. 2 spot back in August 6, I was behind by nearly 3000 points to no.1. I thought to myself, ‘wow that’s a big gap. How am I ever going to reach that?’ I was discouraged at first, but my kata coach Masa Saito reminded me to take it one tournament at a time.”

“My new goal is to maintain the no. 1 spot throughout the year. This is a much bigger challenge, as there will be other eKata players who want the no. 1 spot as well. But this will keep me grinding and motivated,” ayon kay De los Santos.