Promising local karatekas Sebastian Neil Mañalac, Zian Alexander Sing and Aeleyah Magrata will spearhead the hometown hopes in the Karate One Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission kicking off on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Given his international experience and track record, Mañalac, 17, looms as the brightest Filipino prospect in the four-day competition organized by the Karate ng Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc. and sanctioned by the World Karate Federation (WKF).

The junior kumite (sparring) exponent has dominated his age group division at the National Championships for the last five years and a consistent Batang Pinoy National Games gold medalist as well.

Mañalac bagged a gold and bronze medal in the 22nd Asian Cadet, Junior and U21 Karate Championships held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City in 2024, earning him No. 8 in the WKF world ratings in his age group category.

He likewise secured a gold and a bronze medal in the 1st Asian Karate Federation Youth tournament and training camp staged in Wuhan, China two years ago.

In his last overseas stint, the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong high school graduate won two matches in the junior kumite men's -68-kilogram class at the Karate One Youth League leg last February in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Also a solid Pinoy prospect in the competition backed by the SM Group of Companies, Lanson's Place and the Philippine Olympic Committee is Sing, 17, who ruled the junior men's 61kg class of the 4th Shureido International Karate Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia last year.