Filipino Lorenzo Aaron Cantela recently won the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Challenger 2024 last Sunday, April 21 in Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Cantela, the pride of Cavite and Masbate successfully finished a 9-round Swiss System tournament with seven wins, one draw and one loss in 90 minutes and 30 seconds increment time control format. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.
He defeated Terence Legge of England in the first round, Kate Nicole Ordizo of the Philippines in the second round, Vaisnav A of India in the third round, April Joy Claros of the Philippines in the fourth round, Vaibhav A of India in the sixth round, Lemmuel Jay Adena of the Philippines in the seventh round and Ritchie James Abeleda of the Philippines in the eight and penultimate round round.
He was beaten by Xu Chang of China in the fourth round. He split the points with Mary Joy Tan of the Philippines in the ninth and final round.
“I’m simply very, very delighted. I am so happy,” said the freshman student of Far Eastern University in Morayta.
“A big boost of confidence for winning this tournament,” added the 20 year old Cantela.
Among those who are supporting his chess campaign here and abroad are FEU chair Aurelio “Gigi” Montinola, president Juan Miguel Montinola, Manila athletics director Mark Molina, Diliman executive director Dr. Armi Cunanan-Yabut, Atty. Jesseboy Remulla Grepo and sportsman Luis Chavit Singson.
“This is part of the advocacy FEU and I are trying to do, produce future champions,” said FEU and national women’s team coach GM Jayson Gonzales. – by Marlon Bernardino
