CKS College News
CKSC Students Bring Home Gold and Glory in International Sports and Robotics Competitions
Students from Chiang Kai Shek College have been making waves both locally and internationally, securing top honors in basketball, taekwondo, archery, table tennis, and robotics. These recent victories highlight the students’ excellence in both academics and athletics, showcasing the school’s commitment to holistic education and diverse student development.
From the courts of Jeju Island and Singapore to local sports arenas in Manila, CKSian athletes and innovators have brought immense pride to the school and added significant glory to Philippine sports and technology on the global stage.
Hoops: Dominating the Courts in South Korea and Singapore
At the KCC Egis International Youth Club Basketball Tournament held in Jeju Island, South Korea, from June 19 to 21, Grade 8 student Miven Jeighcob R. Vidal delivered a standout performance. Competing in the Under-13 division for the Microsmith Pilipinas team, Vidal and his teammates captured the gold medal.
Organized by the Busan KCC Egis of the Korean Basketball League, the tournament aimed to expand the youth basketball foundation and foster sports exchanges across Asia. The event drew 47 teams and over 600 young athletes from seven countries and regions, including South Korea, China, Singapore, and the Philippines. Over three days, 145 thrilling matches were played across six age groups (Under-9 to Under-14), providing a platform for young players to compete fiercely while building cross-cultural friendships.
CKSC’s basketball success continued in Singapore. At the World Youth Championship held last August 6–9, 2026, Grade 10 student Zachary Kurt M. Cañares helped the Philippine NBL Under-15 team secure a silver medal. Meanwhile, Grade 6 student Francis Eduard C. Dizon earned a bronze medal as a key member of the Philippine ISLA United PH Under-11 team.
Recognized as one of the world’s premier youth basketball events, the Singapore tournament gathered over 145 teams from 14 countries and regions. The event’s prestige was underscored by a visit from Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig, who visited the venue on August 7 to welcome the Philippine delegation.
Taekwondo: Back-to-Back Golds
CKSian taekwondo athletes also showcased remarkable skill in competitions certified by the Philippine Taekwondo Association. On August 8, Grade 8 student Gabriel Gerard L. Ochea won gold in the Kyorugi (sparring) event at the Quezon City Age Group Taekwondo Championships, held at the Novadeci Convention Center.
The very next day, Ochea competed in the MAPAMASA Taekwondo Championships at Robinsons Metro East Plaza in Pasig City, capturing another gold medal in Kyorugi. His back-to-back victories highlighted his exceptional form.
MAPAMASA is an organization comprising coaches from the Philippine Taekwondo Association representing the cities of Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.
Teammate Matthew C. Lu, a Grade 4 student, also brought home a bronze medal in the Kyorugi event at the same tournament.
Archery and Table Tennis: Precision and Agility
On August 8, at the Manila Polo Club Archery Tournament in Makati City, CKSian archery talents also shone brightly. Brothers Chace Alwyn Chua (Grade 6) and Hunter Damian Chua (Grade 4) each won gold medals in both the Olympic Round and the qualification round, demonstrating solid technique and competitive maturity.
Later that month, on August 24, the school’s young table tennis players added to the medal tally at the 5th Pingpines Tournament held at SM Sta. Mesa in Manila.
Grade 6 student Darcy Shane S. Fradejas took home the gold medal in the Advanced Beginners Category, while Grade 3 student Grey Mish P. Dalumpines secured the bronze in the same category.
Robotics: Innovating on the Global Stage
Beyond the sports arena, CKSian students proved their mettle in technology. In July, recent Grade 6 graduate Yuzhao Chen won the bronze medal in the Brick 4+3 project at the 2026 World Educational Robot (WER) Hong Kong Regional and International Invitational Tournament.
The WER is one of the world’s largest and most influential educational robotics competitions, drawing over 500,000 young students from about 50 countries annually. This year’s event tested contestants’ programming and mechanical building skills while emphasizing the use of design thinking to solve practical problems.
Chen was one of more than 18 CKSC students who won awards at the competition. Notably, 17 of these award-winning representatives are enrolled in the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program, spanning both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP). This underscores the IB program’s effectiveness in cultivating technological literacy and international competitiveness. Chen has since returned back to China where he is pursuing his junior high school education.
A Testament to Holistic Education
From the basketball court and the taekwondo mat to the robotics arena, CKSian students have demonstrated outstanding strength, resilience, and innovative spirit. These achievements are not just personal triumphs; they are a testament to the school’s long-standing commitment to holistic education, balanced development, and the encouragement of diverse student talents.
CKS College has and will always uphold its exemplary educational traditions, nurturing a new generation of well-rounded talents equipped with both intellect and character, ready to contribute meaningfully to society.
