NEWS

IMMORTAL SMASH

2-time Palaro gold medalist remains unblemished,

seals fourth straight win in R1AA badminton

𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺. 𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺.

Ilocos Sur’s badminton pride Carlitos Joe “Tolits” Corrales maintained his immaculate record after crushing Pangasinan I smasher’s Palaro hopes with a flawless 2-0 sweep (21-10, 21-9), solidifying his place as a four-time champion in the history of the Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Badminton Meet, April 9.

Corrales dictated the tempo from the first serve, suffocating his opponent with a blend of surgical precision and explosive speed. 

Taking full control, he intentionally forced his rival into long, exhausting exchanges, systematically wearing down the challenger with every point.

By the middle of the first set, the Palaro veteran’s strategy of tire and fire took its toll, leaving his opponent visibly winded and struggling to keep pace with the champion’s lightning-fast transitions. 

“Kayang makipagsabayan ng aking kalaban pero I was confident in myself na kaya ko. Ramdam ko na napapagod na siya sa gitna ng laro, kaya mas lalo ko pang hinabaan ang mga rallies para makuha ko ang momentum,” Corrales shared.

The second set saw the Pangasinan challenger commit several costly net drops and unforced errors as he tried to match Corrales’ intensity. 

Sensing the fatigue, Corrales unleashed a flurry of steep, cross-court smashes and deceptive net tumblers that left his opponent rooted to the spot. 

Every time the challenger tried to mount a comeback, Tolits neutralized the threat with superior court coverage and an ironclad defense.

Meanwhile, Coach Mark Joseph Mateo lauded the performance of Corrales, noting that the athlete’s mental toughness has reached a level that is difficult to penetrate.

"Tolits is on a different level right now. He wasn't just hitting the shuttlecock, he was reading his opponent's mind. His discipline in following our game plan to exhaust the opponent before delivering the finishing blow was executed perfectly," Mateo remarked. 

Corrales dedicated this historic victory to the people provided the mental and emotional strength needed to stay at the top for four straight years.

“Inaalay ko ang panalong ito sa mga taong naniwala sa akin mula day one hanggang sa makamit ko ang pangarap na four-peat na ito,” he expressed.

With his victory, Corrales has not only etched his name in the R1AA history but is also set to begin his high-intensity preparations for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, where he aims to clinch his third national gold.

via James Harley R. Giron & R1AA Medi Team