HINDI man napabilang sa Philippine Karate Team sa nakalipas na Southeast Asian Games sa Manila, umarangkada ang career ni James De los Santos sa on-line tournament.

Bunsod ng lockdown dulot ng COVID- 19 pandemic, naiba ang sistema ng sports events sa international arena at ang virtual tournament ang naging kaharian ng 30- anyos na si De Los Santos.

Sa nakalipas na anim na buwan, nakamit ni De Los Santos ang No.1 ranking sa world e-karate at nitong Martes, nakopo niya ang ika-19 na gintong medalya nang pagbidahan ang e-Championship Trophy World Series.

Ginapi ni De los Santos ang karibal na si Silvio Cerone-Biogioni ng South Africa 25.2-23.7 sa finals ng torneo na muntik nang hindi malahukan ng Pinoy karateka dulot ng super typhoon ‘Rolly’ na nanalasa sa bansa nitong weekend.

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“This will be a memorable virtual tournament,” pahayag ni De los Santos. “Fatima (HAmsain) and I were both scheduled to compete in the finals (Monday). We arrived in the MKKPI dojo in Sunshine Plaza (in Taguig City) at 11:20 a.m.”

“Then the mall announced that they would close at 12 noon for everyone’s safety… so we only had around 30 minutes to prepare; we were really pressed for time. But fortunately, we were able to record our performances.”

Umusad sa final round si De los Santos nang maungusan si Andredo Bustamante ng USA 24.8-24.3, habang nanaig si Cerone- Biagioni kontra Matias Moreno Domont ng Switzerland, 24.1-23.8, sa hiwalay na semifinal duel.

“I was happy to see that I’ve won my 19th gold, despite all this. I’m happy too for my MKKPI students as they have brought home medals from their respective categories (in the same tournament),” pahayag ni Delos Santos.

Nakamit naman ni Hamsain ang ginto sa U-15 e-kumite at silver sa e-kata, habang nakopo ni Karen Colonia ang gintong medalya sa U-18 e-kata, at humugot si Julia Marcos ng silver sa female senior’s e-kata.

Nauna rito, nadomina ni De los Santos ang Pune Open India Karate e-tournament, the 3rd Katana Inter-Continental Karate League e-Tournament, Golden League Karate e-Tournament Series 2, Venice Cup 2020, Okinawa E-Tournament World Series, 1st Euro Grand Prix at 2nd e-Karate Games 2020, gayundin ang Tokaido Maribor Open eTournament, 4th SportData eTournament World Series, Hatamoto Kai Mitad Del Mundo E-Tournament, E-Champions Trophy World Series, the Miyamoto Musashi Five Rings, 2nd Dutch Open E-Tournament, e-Karate Games 2020, Athletes E-Tournament, Balkan Open eTournament, Korokotta Cup at Palestine International Karate Cup.