Promising Filipino karatekas Sebastian Neil Mañalac, Zian Alexander Sing, and Aeleyah Magrata are set to lead the country’s medal campaign in the Karate One Youth League Manila beginning Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With strong international credentials, national dominance, and proven championship pedigree, the trio will carry the Philippines’ brightest hopes in the prestigious four-day tournament organized by Karate ng Pilipinas Sports Federation and sanctioned by the World Karate Federation.

Mañalac leads local hopes

Mañalac, 17, enters the competition as arguably the country’s strongest youth prospect after years of dominance in the junior kumite division.

The Lourdes School of Mandaluyong graduate has ruled his division at the National Championships for five consecutive years while consistently capturing gold medals in the Batang Pinoy National Games. His international résumé further solidifies his status after winning gold and bronze medals at the 22nd Asian Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championships in 2024, which propelled him to No. 8 in the WKF world rankings for his category.

Mañalac also secured gold and bronze medals during the 1st Asian Karate Federation Youth tournament in Wuhan, China, while gaining additional valuable experience during the Karate One Youth League leg in Fujairah earlier this year.

Sing, Magrata strengthen bid

Sing, also 17, adds further firepower to the Philippine campaign after capturing the junior men’s 61kg title at the 4th Shureido International Karate Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.

His recent victories at the 2025 Manuel Veguillas Philippine International Open Karate Championship and the National Championships in Tagaytay City have established him as one of the nation’s premier rising karate stars. Sing’s consistency makes him a formidable contender for gold in Manila.

Magrata, meanwhile, brings versatility in both kumite and kata as she competes in the juniors women’s -66kg kumite division.

She captured gold in junior female intermediate kata and silver in cadet female +61kg kumite during the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Games, while also emerging as the Karate Pilipinas Grand Winner in her category last year. Her balanced skill set and adaptability position her as another serious podium contender.

Karate Pilipinas chief Ricky Lim expressed strong confidence in the trio’s preparation and medal potential, emphasizing that Mañalac, Sing, and Magrata currently stand as the nation’s brightest prospects for the Manila leg.

As the Philippines hosts one of the sport’s premier youth competitions, the spotlight now turns to these homegrown talents as they seek to deliver gold-medal performances on home soil.