| |
|
GM Joey Antonio's Australian Chess Circuit campaign is in peril, facing visa problem
By Marlon Bernardino PhilBoxing.com Wed, 26 Mar 2025
Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. is facing visa issues ahead of the Philippine team’s departure for the Australian Chess Circuit next month.
Antonio is hoping to get a visa after the Australian Embassy in Manila refused his 1st visa application.
"I just want to represent our country, promote chess and meet our Filipino community in Australia. Sydney is very close to my heart. This is where I achieved my 1st Grandmaster norm. I have been in Australia twice. I don't know why I was refused. I reapplied yesterday. I hope they will grant my visa this time," the 63-year-old Antonio said Tuesday.
Antonio got his first GM norm in Sydney in 1985. He also competed in the Sydney International Open in 2006.
Antonio, a 13-time Philippine Open Champion is reaching out to the office of Senator Koko Pimentel, Senator Manny Pacquiao, retired Col. Jaime Osit Santos as well the office of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Despite an official invitation letter from the Australian chess organizer as well the endorsement letter of the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, the Australian Embassy in Manila refused his visa application.
Antonio is set to compete in the Melbourne International Open Chess Tournament to be held in Melbourne from April 7-14, 2025, the 2025 O2C Doeberl Cup Chess Tournament to be held at Canberra from April 17 - 21 2025, and the Sydney International Open 2025 to be held at Sydney from April 23-27, 2025.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN , Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3 , Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced , Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22 By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace” By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies" By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card , Tue, 17 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN" , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts , Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS , Fri, 13 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|