Fourth-grade student Ryu M. Garcia won two silver medals at the 3rd CELKD Karatedo Championship at One Mall Valenzuela City on May 30, 2026.
Garcia, a student from the University of Batangas (UB) elementary department’s Hidalgo section, secured his podium finishes in both the 8-9 Years Old Advanced Kata and Advanced Kumite categories.
This multi-medal performance underscores the impact of early athletic development programs in regional schools. By mastering both Kata (form) and Kumite (sparring), Garcia demonstrated high-level tactical versatility, proving how youth sports programs build physical resilience and competitive discipline outside traditional metropolitan sports hubs.
The tournament directly advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being. Specifically, Garcia’s participation fulfills SDG Target 3.4, which promotes mental health and well-being through physical activity, and aligns with Indicator 3.4.1 by combatting non-communicable health risks.
Locally, this achievement addresses the growing sedentary lifestyle crisis among youth in the CALABARZON region, where screen time increasingly replaces physical activity. Garcia’s success provides a tangible blueprint for local schools to combat childhood obesity and promote mental discipline through structured martial arts.