source: abs-cbnnews.com

It was his first time to compete in an international tournament, yet Johann Randall Abrina exceeded expectations by bagging a silver medal in the 4th UK International Open Memory Championships.

“First time, so medyo mahirap sa simula,” Abrina related to the media upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Tuesday night.

Abrina and fellow "mental athlete" Roberto Racasa competed last August 26 to 27 at MWB Business Exchange, One Kingdom Street in Paddington, Central London.

“Lahat ng ginawa namin doon kinakapa pa namin,” said Abrina. “Kasi basing doon sa ginawa namin na preparation… ‘di namin gaano kabisado pa or alam ang competition procedures kung ano ang ginagawa doon.

The 28-year-old Abrina nabbed the silver medal after winning the speed cards category by memorizing a deck of cards in 1 minute and 20 seconds.

The win also gave him his first Grandmaster (GM) norm. He needs 2 more GM norms to complete his Grandmaster (GM) of Memory Title.

Abrina, who is a registered nurse, said that curiosity led him to be a mental athlete.

“It happened by chance,” he said, narrating that he was walking along Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City when he saw Racasa’s memory shop. Abrina’s grandfather had Alzheimer’s disease that is why he got curious about memory training.

“Why not try? Then all else followed. I was just curious lang,” he added.

Although he was not serious about memory training then, Abrina is now on the road to becoming a GM of Memory.

RP memory team coach and delegation head Marlon Bernardino said, “Baka maging GM this year si Johann."

Positive RP image

The performance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team led to its advancement into the World Memory Championships in Guangzhou, China from December 1 to 6.

Racasa, 34, memorized 3 decks of cards in order, plus 768 digit binary numbers in 30 minutes.

The RP Team expressed gratitude to all the sponsors led by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos as well as to the Filipino community in London.

Abrina added that they are happy to have brought good news to the country.

“We’re very thankful na makatulong sa positive image ng Philippines,” he stated. “Napakasarap ng pakiramdam na meron kang ma-contribute sa bayan.”

The RP Team, which has Aureli “Reli” de Leon as team manager, also received a certificate in recognition of the farthest distance traveled (6,850 miles) to compete in the London event.

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