PHL places 3rd overall in 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship

Top photo: 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship Over 15 division gold medalists (with medals from left) Japan’s Kota Morinishi, South Korea’s Seungjae Kwak, India’s Rohan Rao and Japan’s Ken Endo. Bottom photo: Filipino silver medalists Candice Renee Solidarios (center) and Kaye Janelle Yao (3rd from right), and bronze medalist Ralph Joshua Sarrosa (2nd from right) with MTG officers and guests at the awarding ceremony held at SM City Clark. Photo: MTG

The Philippines earned third place in overall ranking with 45 medals in the 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship held from January 25 to 28 in Clark, Pampanga.

China topped the competition with 16 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze medals for a total of 46 medals, followed by India with four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Third place Philippines bagged two gold, 14 silver and 29 bronze medals.

As part of the Philippines-Thailand Friendship Team, Filipino representatives Vicente Ralphael Chan and Alec Pius Machacon received gold medals as special prizes.

The 14 silver medals for the Philippines were earned by Candice Renee Solidarios, Kaye Janelle Yao, J Irah Sargado, Marc Kendrick Lim, Janelle Aleisonne Navarro, Phylline Cristel Calubayan, Red Robles, Matthew Kenzie Rasines, Princess Ashley Anzures, Matt Ezekiel Baston and Jean Kathleen Samonte.

The 29 bronze medals came from the wins of Ralph Joshua Sarrosa, Vicente Raphael Chan, Alec Pius Machacon, Kirsten Dominique Chan, Eiane Erwhel Santos, Bernadette Concepcion, Daphnee Buo, Billy Joe Nicolas, Fa Shailyn Saladaga, Empress Jayrielle Umipig, J Irah Sargado, Margaret Ellyse Dela Cruz, Hanne Margaret Tongcua, Ehrell Dane Alfonso, IO Aristotle Nikolai Calica, Reysheil Anne Doromal, Alessandra Holaysan, Kyla Andrea Adlaon, Rayner Gabrielle Alcantara, Angela Mae Gabriel, Kristine Joy Gabata, Gwen Kathleen Roco, Rheizal Salvador, Hailey Leanne Chu and Princess Bhella Fernandez.

Team India led in the Over 15 category followed by Japan as first runner-up, while the Philippines placed third.

In the Under 15/Under 12 category, contestants from China emerged as champions and also as second-runner up while the Filipino team snatched the second place.

China won all the three places in the Under 8/Under 10 division.

Winners received the awards during a ceremony at SM City Clark.

“This is the first time that the Asia Sudoku Championship was held in the country and we thank everyone for their support,” Mathematics Trainers Guild (MTG) officer Simon Chua said.

MTG organized the 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship with the supervision of the World Puzzle Federation (WPF). — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News