Rising Karate Talent Chris De Guzman Named JKA Philippines Brand Ambassador

LIPA CITY, BATANGAS, Philippines - September 8, 2026 — A promising young karate athlete whose journey began at only nine years old is stepping into a new role—not merely as a competitor, but as one of the emerging public faces of JKA Philippines.

Chris Zachary Torres De Guzman, publicly known as Chris De Guzman, has been selected as an official JKA Philippines Brand Ambassador, recognizing his achievements in competition and his commitment to the discipline, integrity and character associated with traditional Japanese karate.

A Grade 8 student from Lipa City, De Guzman currently holds the rank of 1st kyu brown belt and trains at JKA Lipa, an affiliate of JKA Philippines. Although still young, he has already earned gold medals in several tournaments and is steadily building a reputation as a determined athlete who understands that every victory begins long before the medal ceremony.

“Every medal represents the hours of training, discipline, sacrifice and determination that people do not always see,” De Guzman said. (Transcript of the Interview with Chris De Guzman)

A Journey Inspired by His Mother

De Guzman’s introduction to karate came through his mother, who also practiced the martial art when she was younger. What began as her encouragement to try something new soon became an important commitment in his life.

“I began practicing karate when I was nine years old,” he recalled. “I wanted to become physically stronger, develop discipline and eventually compete in tournaments through honest effort, hard work and integrity.”

Under the guidance of Sensei Kim Masayuki Torres, De Guzman learned that karate demands far more than physical ability. His training introduced him to patience, humility, resilience and the discipline to continue even when improvement seems slow.

His most unforgettable moments in the dojo were not necessarily the easiest or most glamorous ones. They were the demanding training sessions in which exhaustion tested his commitment.

“Those moments taught me that improvement often begins exactly when you feel like stopping,” he said.

Finding Strength Against Stronger Opponents

Of the three principal areas of karate—kihon, kata and kumite—De Guzman is particularly drawn to kumite, or sparring.

Rather than avoiding opponents who may be more experienced, he welcomes the opportunity to face them.

“Competing against stronger karate practitioners challenges me to study their techniques, recognize my weaknesses and improve,” he explained.

His favorite technique is the spinning hook kick, a demanding movement that requires speed, precision, timing, confidence and control. For De Guzman, the technique reflects his own personality: determined, adventurous and willing to keep attempting something difficult until he performs it correctly.

That same attitude has helped him manage one of the realities many young athletes face—the challenge of balancing school requirements, homework, training and competition.

“There were times when I felt discouraged because balancing karate with schoolwork became difficult,” he admitted. “I continued by remembering why I started and reminding myself that giving up would take me farther away from my goals.”

More Than a Public Face

De Guzman initially found it difficult to believe that he had been chosen as a JKA Philippines Brand Ambassador.

“At first, I was surprised and even a little confused because I did not expect to be selected,” he said. “When I understood what the role meant, I felt incredibly happy, grateful and honored.”

He views the appointment as more than a title or publicity opportunity. To him, carrying the JKA Philippines name and emblem creates a responsibility to behave with discipline, humility and respect both inside and outside the dojo.

“People may judge the organization through my behavior,” he said. “I must conduct myself properly, remain humble and set a positive example wherever I go.”

Inside the dojo, he intends to continue training seriously, respecting his instructors and fellow karate practitioners, and observing traditional etiquette. Outside it, he hopes to demonstrate that the values learned through karate can shape a young person’s daily decisions and relationships.

“When I wear the JKA emblem, I represent JKA Philippines and the values of discipline, respect, humility and dedication,” he added.

Inspiring a New Generation

As a Brand Ambassador, De Guzman especially hopes to reach children and young people who may believe they are too shy, too weak or too inexperienced to begin karate.

“Everyone begins somewhere,” he said. “You do not need to be strong, confident or experienced on your first day. You only need the courage to begin and the willingness to learn, practice and improve.”

He believes proper karate training can also play an important role in discouraging bullying. Rather than teaching young people to intimidate others, karate develops self-control and emphasizes that physical skills must be used responsibly.

“Karate is not simply about fighting,” De Guzman explained. “It is about discipline, respect, self-control and becoming a better version of yourself.”

For him, medals remain meaningful, but they are not the highest measure of success.

“A medal is an achievement, but character stays with you throughout your life,” he said. “It influences how you treat people, respond to difficulties and use your success.”

A Dream of Representing the Philippines

De Guzman is now training with an even greater ambition: to compete at the JKA World Cup in Japan and represent the Philippines on an international stage.

He hopes to demonstrate that Filipino karate practitioners can honor the traditions of Japanese karate while bringing distinctly Filipino qualities—resilience, determination, respect, and a strong sense of family—to the international arena.

His journey is still beginning, but his direction is already clear. With his parents' support, his instructor's guidance, and the discipline he has built through JKA training, De Guzman is steadily turning youthful ambition into meaningful achievement.

His personal motto captures both the simplicity and strength of his outlook:

“Keep improving and never give up.”

For Chris De Guzman, those words are more than an inspirational phrase. They are the principles guiding every training session, every competition and every step toward his dream of carrying the Philippine flag onto the world karate stage. 

(Transcript of the Interview with Chris De Guzman)