PINOY MEMORY ATHLETE WINS SILVER MEDAL IN UK, GAINS GRANDMASTER NORM TO ADVANCE TO THE WORLD MEMORY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CHINA
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 Aug 2010
PADDINGTON, CENTRAL LONDON -- Filipino Johann Randall Paton-og Abrina grabs the silver medal for winning the speed cards category by memorizing a deck of cards in lightning fast 1 minute 20 seconds in the just ended 4th U.K. International Open Memory Championships at the 4th level of MWB Business Exchange, One Kingdom Street here in Paddington, Central London on Friday.
That also gave Abrina his first Grandmaster (GM) norm. He needed two more GM norm to complete his Grandmaster (GM) of Memory Title.
"Our sacrifices have paid off. We are able to put the Philippines on limelight again for this worthy achievement. I would like to thank our team manager Sir Reli De leon, our team delegation head Marlon Bernardino and of course my team mates and my personal mentor Robert Racasa," said the 28-year-old Abrina, a registered nurse and UP Sports Science who hails from Barangay WackWack, Mandaluyong City.
"Salamat din sa tiwala at suporta nina mayor (Benhur) Abalos, Cong. Bernadette (Herrera-Dy), Atty. Joy (Ferdinand Jose Rojas II) at chairman Margie (Juico) ng PCSO, senator ((Robert) Jaworski, Mr. Willy Ortiz ng ACCEL, Hermie Esguerra ng Herma Group of companies, Dr. Philip Ella Juico, Drs Manny at Regina Canlas, Cheryl Felizardo, Terry Capistrano, Atty. Sixto Esquivas, Hector Tagaysay, Cynthia Carreon, Sebastian Chua ng Star Billiards Center, Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Alberto Romulo and Usec Jaime Ledda, British Embassy in Manila headed by Stephen Lilie pati sa tri-media (print, radio and TV) at sa mga kababayan natin sa London at sa Philippine Embassy sa London," added Abrina.
Meanwhile, everybody in the tournament was shocked when his team mate Roberto Mangaran Racasa was able to memorized 3 decks of card perfectly in order, plus 768 digit binary number in 30 minutes putting him in the elite company of players who can display that mental prowess.
"This proves once again that the Filipino can be at par with the world's best memory athletes. And with ample training and preparation we can even become world champion," said the 34-year-old Racasa, a former PUP top chess player and adopted son of Mandaluyong City.
"Awesome Performance! "That is the word given by eventual over-all champion GM Ben Pridmore, the reigning and three-time World Memory Champion from the host nation to the Pinoy Memory Athlete tandem of Abrina and Racasa.
UK Memory Sports Council president Dominic O'Brien, the legendary Eight Times World Memory Champion stated that for a first timer in this high level memory sports competition the results of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team is absolutely remarkable.
The Filipino dynamic duo (Abrina and Racasa) also advance to the World Memory Championships on December 1 to 6 in Guangzhou, China.
In addition, certificate in recognition of the furthest distance traveled (6,850 miles) to compete in this U. K. International Open Memory Championships was awarded to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team headed by team manager Aurelio "Reli" De Leon. RP and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., is the Delegation Head and Coach.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team backed up by Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos, PCSO through it's General Manager (GM) Atty. Ferdinand Jose "Joy" Rojas II and chairman Margie Juico, representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Party-List, PBA legend Robert Jaworski, sportsman/businessman Hermie Esguerra of Herma Group of companies, Dr. Philip Ella Juico and Willy Ortiz of ACCEL would like to thank to ABS-CBN/The Filipino Channel Balitang Europe Senior Correspondent-Europe Consultant Rose Eclarinal, People's Movement for the Creation of Philippine Jury (PHILJURY), OnePhilippines publisher Gen Ashley and the Philippine Embassy here in London for their undying support for the RP Memory Team, a first-timer in this 2-day competition (August 26 and 27), organized by World Memory Sports Council under the leadership its founding head Mind Mapping inventor Tony Buzan and International Chess Grandmaster (GM) Raymond Keene.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team also supported by Drs Manny and Regina Canlas, Cheryl Felizardo, Terry Capistrano, Atty. Sixto Esquivas, Hector Tagaysay of Filway and Sebastian Chua of Star Billiards Center is schedule to arrive on Tuesday (August 31), 10:35 pm Manila Time via Emirates Airlines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IBA fully supports and endorses sex testing initiatives and invites all boxing bodies to embrace the same
Mon, 02 Jun 2025OKC's SGA Vs. Indiana's Haliburton: The First Time in Decades Two Opposing Talented Shooting Guards of the Same Size and Lethality Clash in NBA Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Knockout Punch: Cebuano AJ Paciones Powers Through to TKO Victory in Thailand, Edges Closer to World Title Showdown
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Thunderdome 50 Results: Perth’s Francis Chua captures WBC glory
Mon, 02 Jun 2025PH chess wizard 8-year-old Marius Constante shines in Metropolitan Chess Club Standard Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Carl Jammes Martin Shines in Dominant US Debut Victory in Las Vegas
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Yes (Pa)Cers, It's Indiana in the NBA Finals, Smothers New York Knicks in Game 6, 125-108
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 01 Jun 2025GM Quizon rules 1st Bino Car Rental Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
By Homer D. Sayson, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
Sat, 31 May 2025AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 31 May 2025Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 May 2025