Castaneda Creates Stir in US Extreme Memory Tourney
By Winchell Campos
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 28 Apr 2014
SAN DIEGO, CA--Unheralded Filipino Mark Castaneda showed class and potential by scoring a string of upsets and ended up in fourth place in the star-studded 1st Dart Extreme Memory Tournament Sunday here.
Himself a newly-normed grandmaster, Castaneda upset fourth seed Norwegian super-Grandmaster Ola Kare Risa in the quarterfinals, 4-1, but failed to sustain that momentum, as he faced stiff opposition from World No. 2 and super-GM Simon Reinhard of Germany in the semifinals and third seed and world champion Jonas von Essen in the fight for bronze.
Reinhard beat compatriot Johannes Mallow to win the $20,000 top prize and the coveted gold medal in this event participated in by amazing talents from all over the world. Two other Filipino GMs--Johann Randall Abrina and Erwin Balines--competed valiantly but lost in highly-comeptitive matches.
The amazing mind power of Reinhard was in full display as he demolished the top seed Mallow, needing only seconds to memorize a deck of cards, 60 random numbers, 50 random names and faces in less than a minute, as well as memorizing random words in their correct spelling and order, among other "tests" of mind memory skills.
The 12th seed Castaneda made heads turn when he pulled the rug from under Risa, 4-1. Risa is the holder of world records in recalling more than a thousand binary numbers within five minutes.
Castaneda, like many of the participants, needed mere seconds to reconstruct in succession a randomly-dealt deck of cards. Head coach Roberto Racasa commended his wards for giving a great fight throughout the two-day elimination and finals phase. "We should not be ashamed of what we achieved today. Mark's character got tested today as he faced the world's top four players yesterday and today. I think we did a great job."
The Mandaluyong City native Castaneda just could not get much headway against Reinhard, who was tremendously conditioned. "Babawi na lang next time. I learned a lot today," said Castaneda.
In the finals against Mallow, Reinhard was impeccable in reciting 15 spoken and random words and numbers, delivered in 15 seconds and putting binary combinations of coins on a checkered board.
The three Filipinos battled some of the best minds in the world including those from the United Kingdom, Wales, Sweden and Mongolia.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IBA Youth World Boxing Championships Opening Ceremony welcomes all participants to the city of Budva with a pyrotechnic display of fireworks
Wed, 23 Oct 2024GS Warriors Meet Portland Blazers In NBA West Conference Opener
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 23 Oct 2024More than 180 boxers from 30 nations will compete in 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships in Colorado
Wed, 23 Oct 2024IBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Budva saw transparent Draw ceremony
Wed, 23 Oct 2024The Past Week in Action 23rd October 2024
By Eric Armit, Tue, 22 Oct 2024Celtics Face Knicks in NBA Season Opener
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Oct 2024Herbert Ario rules Philippine Embassy MWO-OWWA 3rd Blitz Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 22 Oct 2024O'Shaquie Foster: "I'm Going To Let My Hands Go!"
Tue, 22 Oct 2024Justin Figueroa, Avious Griffin, Dominique Crowder, Donte Layne & Bruce Seldon Jr. Ready to light up The Boardwalk
Tue, 22 Oct 2024IBA Secretary General & CEO meets President of the WBA Gilberto Mendoza in Madrid
Tue, 22 Oct 2024A Lot of Unfinished Business at 154 for Crawford
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 21 Oct 2024Magramo bags OPBF crown
Mon, 21 Oct 2024Miyo Yoshida set to avenge loss to Shurretta Metcalf & defend her IBF Bantamweight World title
Mon, 21 Oct 2024Magramo is new OPBF super fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Oct 2024Kingsley Ibeh knocked out Jack May in 59 seconds
Mon, 21 Oct 2024