By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Tia Belau reporter Salome ‘Micmic’ Villaflor and Surangel and Sons Company employee Melvin Parinas shared the top honors in the just-concluded First Sen. Alan Seid Challenge Badminton Tournament as they crowned themselves champions in their respective divisions of the advance category.
Villaflor defeated Japanese Maho Miyashita, 21-17, in the finals of the Ladies Singles Advance of the two-day tournament that ended on Sunday at the Palau High School Gym. Aurea Gerundio of Island Times settled for third place.
In the Men’s Singles Advance category, Parinas humbled Taiwanese national Bin Fang Stone, 23-21, who advanced via victory over third place finisher Reynold Bulaon.
Villaflor was also a co-champion in the Mixed Doubles Advance as she paired with Bulaon in beating the duo of Parinas and Gerundio, 21-13. Bin Fang and Yan Jun were third.
Villaflor and Gerundio partnered in the Women’s Doubles Advance but they managed to place second behind eventual champions Maho Miyashita and Yan Jun, who won in the closest margin of 23-22. Jane Isip and Ana Menor were third.
The following are the top finishers in the other categories: Beginners Mixed Doubles -- Bheng Mendoza and Romy Cabelles (champions), Mayumi Fuji and Yan Jun (2nd), Juliet Yamasaki and Masahiro Yamasaki (3rd); Ladies Singles Intermediate -- Mayumi Fuji (champion), Ana Menor (2nd), Bheng Mendoza (3rd); Men’s Singles Intermediate -- Jhon Unadia (champion), Franklin Merico (2nd), Victor Aranzuez (3rd); Mixed Doubles Intermediate -- Katsou Fuji and Mayumi Fuji (champions) Danny Fontanar and Jane Isip (2nd), Hernan Aguinaldo and Ana Menor (3rd); Men’s Doubles Advance -- Reynold Bulaon and Victor Aranzues (champions), Bin Fang Stone and Franklin Merico (2nd), Melvin Farinas and Jose Labro (3rd).
Sen. Seid personally graced the awarding of the trophies and medals for the winners along with Peleliu Governor Jackson Ngiraingas, who received the $370 proceeds of the tournament that will go for Senior Citizens of Peleliu for the Old Age Center.
Ngiraingas extended the senior citizens of Peleliu’s appreciation to the kindness extended by the Palau Badminton Club and organizers of the tournament headed by Allan Tuppil of PPR.
"This sport is something that is expanded here in Palau," said Ngiraingas, who promised the club members that in the near future they would visit Peleliu as a way of paying back their efforts of such a successful event.
The other sponsors included Palau Royal Resort, Taiwan Embassy in Palau, Mingles ToToTo, Del. Jonathan Isechal, Western Union, Shimbros, Belau Tourism Association and Palau Pacific Resort and help from Navy Civic Action Team.
Seid lauded the effort of the organizers in introducing the sport of badminton to Palau.
"I am very happy that the proceeds of this event will go to the women of Peleliu," he said.