NEW YORK CITY -- The talented Umayan kids of Davao City, Philippines--Gabriel John and Samantha--won gold medals and certificates in the boys and girls divisions, respectively, in the 18th Asean Age Group Team Standard Under-12 Chess Championships held at the Hotel Grand Darulmakmur in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia on November 24-December 5, 2017.
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| VICTORIOUS FAMILY (Samantha, mother Merlinda, Gabriel John) |
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| Gabriel John |
Younger sister Samantha "Sam" Babol Umayan, 11, and teammates Jerlyn Mae San Diego and Krisen Yochabel Marie Sanchez submitted 121 total tie-break points to give Team Philippines another championsip in the distaff side over Malaysia 1 (second) with 107 points, and Malaysia 2 (third) with 104 points.
BRONZE
Samantha also scored 5.5 points to grab the bronze medal in the girls Under-12 individual.
Gabriel John and Samantha are children of United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Master Vincent Umayan and Merlinda.
"All our sacrifices have paid off," beamed the father Umayan, 42, who won a grandmaster-laden blitz tournament in Long Island City in New York on November 12, 2017.
Father and mother supervised the kids' Spartan-like training and preparations with daily prayers and giving of words of encouragement and motivation.
"Strictly no computer games, no playing around, no quarrel. We asked them to focus, focus, and focus because they were representing the Philippines and they were trying to give glory to the country," Vincent said.
GUIDE
New York-based Vincent honed the kids' skills and guided them by reviewing the games of world champions and playing blitz matches with them on-line every night, while Merlinda accompanied the kids in their first international stint.
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| Samantha |
When they return to the Philippines, Vincent exhorted the kids to start training again. They next target the world junior championship.
A hero's welcome waited the kids in Davao City.
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