Five-year-old Filipina wins six gold medals at ASEAN chess meet

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 21, 2026

Photo courtesy: WeFilipinos.PH

MANILA, Philippines — Five-year-old Jodiel Chloe Banawa of Alicia, Isabela won six gold medals at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Singapore.

Banawa competed in the Girls Under-6 division, winning individual gold medals in standard, rapid and blitz chess. She also helped the Philippines win team gold in all three events.

In the standard competition, Banawa finished with six points after six wins and one loss. She secured the title after defeating fellow Filipino Rien Euri Villa in the final round.

Banawa also topped the rapid event with six points from seven games. She tied fellow Filipino Elisha Romarate on points, with both players receiving individual gold medals. The two also joined Villa in winning the team title.

The Singapore tournament was held from August 7 to 17 and featured age-group divisions starting at Under-6.

Banawa had already made a mark in Philippine chess before the ASEAN tournament. In June, she swept the standard, rapid and blitz titles in the Girls Under-8 division of the National Age Group Championships in Olongapo despite competing against older players.

She began playing chess only last year and was the youngest member of the Philippine delegation at the Singapore competition.

Her six-medal performance added to the Philippines’ haul at the regional tournament.