On Sunday, April 21, 2024, National Master Lorenzo Aaron Cantela accomplished an incredible achievement by winning the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Challenger, which took place at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Cantela, competing on behalf of Cavite and Masbate, proved his mettle throughout the course of the nine-round Swiss system competition, finishing with an outstanding record of seven victories, one tie, and one defeat to take home the coveted trophy.
On his way to the title, Cantela defeated opponents like the Englishman Terence Legge, the Filipino Kate Nicole Ordizo, the Indian Vaisnav A, the Philippine April Joy Claros, the Indian Vaibhav A, the Philippine Lemmuel Jay Adena, and the Philippine Ritchie James Abeleda in pivotal rounds.
Cantela drew with the Philippines’ Mary Joy Tan in the championship round, but lost to China’s Xu Chang in the fourth round, who finished second in the competition with 7.0 points.
Cantela, a Far Eastern University student who is 20 years old, expressed his joy by saying, “I am extremely delighted with this victory. It’s a moment of immense happiness for me.”
This victory not only gave Cantela more self-assurance, but it also demonstrated the sponsors’ and mentors’ support. After winning the competition, he was given 30,000 Thai baht, or roughly P46,600. He also thanked FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola, chair Aurelio “Gigi” Montinola, Mark Molina, the director of athletics in Manila, Diliman executive director Dr. Armi Cunanan-Yabut, ATTY. Luis Chavit Singson and Jesseboy Remulla Grepo for their steadfast assistance in his chess pursuits on a national and worldwide level.
The coach of FEU, Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, who also coaches other outstanding players like Woman National Master Reulle Canino and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, said, “This is part of the advocacy FEU and I are trying to do, produce future champions.”
