De La Salle-College of St. Benilde and San Beda University each captured a gold medal in the men’s speed-kicking tournament of the 96th NCAA Season that was held online on Thursday, June 24.
Jack Janggo Natividad gave the Red Jins their first gold in the flyweight men's division as he tallied 6.883 points to beat CSB’s Rey Isaiah Fausto, who settled with the silver with 6.558 points.
Camillus Sanhi of San Beda completed the podium finishers in the division with 6.167 points. He was tied with Arellano University's Rey Tambulian Jr., who also had 6.167, but won via the tiebreak.
Finweight Ivan Murray Solimen won CSB’s first gold medal in this taekwondo competition being televised on GTV channel by the league’s new broadcast partner GMA-7.
Solimen finished with 6.908 points as he edged San Beda bets Ivan Karl Esquillo (6.667) and Francis Job Anthony Odal (6.483) in this first ever event in the NCAA under host school Letran.
"Actually, hindi ko ini-expect na mag-gold ako," said Solimen, who overcame difficulties of taking videos of his performance that were submitted for judging to the Philippine Taekwondo Association.
Solimen, a native of Baguio City, won his first gold after a heartbreaking performance in the league’s poomsae event last week where her settle with the silver medal.
Haydrian Cayle Miel of San Sebastian placed fourth with 6.208, while Ariel Rupa of Arellano University finished fifth with 5.992 points.
The speed kicking competition in the NCAA men's division will continue until June 29, followed by the women's category on June 30 to July 5. Also set next month is the online chess.