MANILA -- The Philippines won 45 medals to place third overall as China topped the 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship (ASC) held in Clark, Pampanga from January 25 to 28.
A total of 121 contestants from six countries joined the sudoku competition, including 29-year-old Kota Morinishi from Japan, the current and four-time World Sudoku Championship gold medalist, according to ASC organizer Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG).
China emerged first overall with 46 medals consisting of 16 gold, 13 silver, and 17 bronze medals, followed by India with four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
The Philippines finished third with 45 medals consisting of two gold, 14 silver, and 29 bronze medals.
Japan took home two gold, four silver, and one bronze medals while South Korea grabbed one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, and Thailand won two silver medals.
"We congratulate all the winners for their outstanding performance," said Dr. Isidro Aguilar, MTG president, said in a news release issued Tuesday.
Winning gold medals in the Over 15 category are Japan's Kota Morinishi and Ken Endo, South Korea's Seungjae Kwak and India's Rohan Rao.
Filipino contestants Vicente Ralphael Chan and Alec Pius Machacon were awarded gold medals as special prize, winning as part of the Philippines-Thailand Friendship Team.
China won the gold medals in the Under 15, Under 12, Under 10 and Under 8 divisions through contestants Zhu Songyu, Ma Jiyun, Li Run, Xu Leyi. Hu Qianyu, Zhang Jialingxue, Zou Xiaoyu, and Chang Enkai.
Bagging silver for the Philippines are 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 bronze medalists from the Philippines are 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.
In the team contest, India emerged as champion in the Over 15 category, followed by Japan as first runner-up and the Philippines, composed of Chan, Sarrosa, Solidarios, and Yao, as second runner-up.
In the Under 15/Under 12 category, China won as champion and second runner-up while the Philippines, composed of Anzures, Rasines, Lim, and Samonte, emerged as first runner-up. China won the three places in the Under 8/Under 10 division.
"This is the first time that the Asia Sudoku Championship was held in the country and we thank everyone for their support," MTG officer Dr. Simon Chua said.
The 2018 ASC was held in Jeju Island, South Korea.
The winners were awarded by Aguilar, MTG's Myrna Agtarap, Executive Director Lilia Habacon of the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS), Dr. Roger Nuqui, SHARP Calculators marketing assistant Jervin Abad, and Mabalacat City Coun. Dwight Morales at a ceremony held in SM City Clark.
The 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship was organized by MTG under the supervision of the World Puzzle Federation (WPF) and in cooperation with SM City Clark and SHARP Calculators. (PR)
