Between Schoolwork and Sparring: Chris De Guzman Takes His Next Step in Karate

LIPA CITY, Philippines — October 1, 2026 — For Chris De Guzman, preparing for a national karate competition also means keeping up with homework. As he trains to represent Lipa City at Batang Pinoy 2026, the young practitioner is learning to manage two commitments that both demand time, focus, and discipline.

Chris, whose full name is Chris Zachary Torres De Guzman, identified balancing assignments and schoolwork with karate training as one of the challenges he has faced in pursuing the sport. His preparation for Bacolod is therefore about more than improving his performance in sparring. It also involves continuing his studies while working toward a sporting goal.

Batang Pinoy 2026 is scheduled for December 12–18 in Bacolod City. The Philippine Sports Commission’s national youth sports event offers young Filipino athletes the opportunity to compete against peers from across the country.

According to his interview, Chris earned his place on the Lipa City team through local karate tryouts. The opportunity began when Sensei Khim told practitioners at their dojo that those interested could participate. Chris entered, won, and was included in the list of selected competitors.

Training with JKA Lipa, he is preparing to compete in kumite, the sparring discipline of karate, where offensive and defensive techniques are tested within competition rules.

“I am currently working toward becoming a better karate practitioner, improving in competitions, and gaining more experience,” Chris wrote in his questionnaire.

That desire to improve shapes his preparation. He continues practicing, works on his confidence, and pays attention to mistakes that can help him identify what needs more training. He describes discipline and focus as important parts of reaching this point.

The upcoming event will be his first Batang Pinoy appearance. Chris also described it as his first competition using World Karate Federation rules, adding a new experience to his development as a practitioner.

Chris wants to win. He also looks forward to meeting other athletes, experiencing a different competition environment, and learning lessons he can bring back to the dojo. Representing Lipa City gives those ambitions a wider meaning: he hopes his participation will reflect confidence, discipline, and respect.

Asked what he would tell other young people considering a new opportunity, Chris encouraged them to work hard, remain disciplined, and be willing to try.

His goals after Batang Pinoy are similarly practical: continue improving, compete in more tournaments, and learn from the experience gained along the way.

For now, his next step begins with the responsibilities already in front of him—schoolwork to complete, skills to practice, and a first Batang Pinoy appearance to prepare for.

About Chris De Guzman