Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Oct 2025
Gallipoli,Italy---Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. has been crowned the new FIDE World Senior Over-all Champion.
The 63-year-old Antonio, the pride of Quezon City and Mandaluyong City, claimed victory in the Blitz tournament at the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championship, held on Thursday at the Grand Hotel Costa Brada in Gallipoli, Italy.
Antonio scored 7.0 points, the same output of countryman FIDE Master Mario Mangubat and International Master Alexander Reprintsev of Ukraine.
After the tie break points were applied, Antonio wound up 1st place for the gold medal, Mangubat settled for 2nd place for the silver medal while Reprintsev got 3rd place for the bronze medal.
“Our sacrifices have paid off. We are able to put the Philippines in the limelight again for this worthy achievement,” said Antonio, who is aiming to surpass his runner-up finish in the Standard event during the 2017 edition in Acqui Terme, Italy.
“This proves once again that the Filipino can be at par with the world’s best chess athletes. And with ample training and preparation, we can even become world champion,” he added.
Another Filipino entry International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad finished over-all 17th place with 4.5 points.
The Filipino’s participation was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), chaired by John Patrick Gregorio, with commissioners Edward Hayco and Olivia “Bong” Coo; the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by chairman and president Cong. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales; Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), chaired by Alejandro “Al” Tengco; PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager Maria Suzette Geminiano, Sportsman Christopher "Dong" Cheng, Composite Technology Inc. Executive Vice President/ Finance and Admin. Laarnie Padrinao, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita 'Menchie' Aguilar- Abalos, Minglanilla, Cebu Mayor Rajiv Enad, Congw. Alexandria 'Queenie' Pahati-Gonzales, QC councilor Vincent Belmonte and Rezostar Corporation Company President Travis Vincent Chua.
In the on-going Standard competition, the 63-year-old Antonio, playing black drew with Duudei Khurelbaatar of Mongolia after 33 moves of Caro-Kann defense to raise his total 2.5 points in three outings in the 50+ category.
The 66-year-old Minglanilla, Cebu bet Mangubat also halved the point with International Master Victor Manuel Vehi Bach of Spain after 20 moves of French defense while the 69-year-old Quezon City resident Bagamasbad defeated Olle Algars of Sweden after 63 moves of English Opening.
Mangubat and Bagamasbad tallied 2.5 points and 2.0 points, respectively in the 65 over category.
In the fourth round of the Standard competition, Antonio takes on Candidate Master Marc Kirszenberg of France, Mangubat goes up against Metodi Stoinev of Bulgaria while Bagamasbad opposite International Master Christian Maier of Germany.-Marlon Bernardino-
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