Lim, Tsukii settle for silver in Asian Championships


Jamie Lim (left) and Junna Tsukii in file photos (Karate Pilipinas)

Filipino karatekas Jamie Lim and Junna Tsukii settled for silver medals in their respective campaigns in the 2021 Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Karate Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Lim, 24, suffered defeat at the hands of 20-year-old Sarah Alameri of the United Arab Emirates, 2-1, in their -61kg women's senior kumite clash.

In the -50kg counterpart, Tokyo Olympian Moldir Zhangbyrbay of host nation Kazakhstan scored a 9-5 domination against Tsukii, a four-time Karate 1-Premier League medalist.

Both Lim and Tsukii shared the same fate early in the tournament, winning three straight rounds en route to the final.

Lim edged Chih-Ling Ku of Chinese Taipei (5-4), Kymbat Toitonova of Kyrgyzstan (1-0), and Joud Aldrous of Jordan (1-0) before facing Alameri.

Tsukii, for her part, was unstoppable as she took down Ji Young Jung of South Korea (4-1), Yee Ting Tsang of Hong Kong (9-0, and Hawra Al Ajmi of the UAE (3-2).

The silver medal finish served as Tsukii's redemption after suffering an early second-round exit in the Dubai World Championships.

The same goes for Lim, who crashed out of the bronze medal contention after losing her chances in the repechage round of the world tilt.

Meanwhile, John Enrico Vasquez, Sakura Alforte, and Lemon Misu bagged bronze medals in the U-21 men’s kata, women’s senior kata, and U-21 women’s kumite -61 kg division, respectively.