By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Woman FIDE Master Jemaica Mendoza claimed her second gold medal by topping the girls’ Under-16 blitz category of the 9th Eastern Asia Youth Championships in Zhuhai, China on Monday, July28.
Mendoza, a 14-year-old native of Sta. Maria in Romblon, had to overcome a couple of early defeats including one in the first round before bouncing back to defeat Mongolia’s Enkhsaikhan Odmaa in the ninth and final round. She edged out Singapore’s Vemurugan Sreekarthika via tiebreak to secure her place in the event.
It was Mendoza’s second gold medal, following her triumph in the girls’ U14 standard event the day before.
She now sets her sights on winning a third gold in the rapid division in hopes of replicating her golden treble in the girls’ U12 category three years ago.
Also striking gold was FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu, a 16-year-old standout who dominated the premier U18 section with an impressive 8.5 points out of a possible nine. Fellow Filipino FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca, who won the standard event the previous day, settled for a bronze.
So far, the country has tallied a total of four gold medals in the tournament.
