For decades, the Philippines has steadily built its reputation in taekwondo at the Asian Games, collecting nearly 30 medals but never reaching the top of the podium. As another continental campaign approaches, the national team is hoping that preparing in the birthplace of the sport will finally provide the breakthrough it has long pursued.
The Smart/MVPSF Philippine taekwondo team is embarking on an extensive training and competition in South Korea, combining international tournaments with an elite training camp in a move designed to sharpen the country’s top athletes before a packed international calendar.
Leading the delegation are Tokyo Olympian Kurt Barbosa and Southeast Asian Games champion Tachiana Keizha Mangin, who headline the 39-athlete contingent assembled by the Philippine Taekwondo Association under Grandmaster Sung-Chon Hong.
Rather than limiting preparations to local training, the association has opted to immerse the national team in South Korea, where the athletes will not only compete against world-class opposition but also continue training after the tournaments.
Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo, the country’s Kyorugi athletes will first compete in the Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships from July 18 to 22 before seeing action in the Kim Un-yong Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships in Jung-gu, Seoul from July 25 to 28.
Following both competitions, the squad will stay in South Korea for further training at Kyung Hee University, one of the country’s renowned taekwondo institutions. Meanwhile, the Philippine Poomsae team has already begun its overseas preparation, training at TS Taekwondo since July 9.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
The tournaments are expected to feature competitors from nearly 40 countries, including powerhouse taekwondo nations Iran, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei and China, giving the Filipinos valuable international exposure ahead of the season’s biggest events.
The Korea campaign serves as a key part of the team’s buildup for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games scheduled from Sept. 16 to Oct. 4, where the Philippines hopes to finally capture its elusive first taekwondo gold after earning close to 30 medals since its Asian Games debut in Seoul 40 years ago.
The overseas program will also prepare the national squad for the World Taekwondo Women’s Championships in Taiyuan, China from Aug. 28 to 30, the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon from Sept. 16 to 20, and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Dec. 13 to 21.
Barbosa banners the men’s Kyorugi squad in the under-54kg division alongside Reymundo Calamba III (-54kg), Aljen Aynaga (-58kg), Mythaious Angelous Francois Lustado (-58kg), Brendan Ysrael Hugh Boteros (-63kg), Kenneth Riley Buenavides (-68kg), Dave Cea (-74kg), Nicolas Aaron Castillo (-74kg) and junior standout Chuck Aeron Alaria (-63kg).
Mangin leads the women’s Kyorugi team with Clarence Sarza (-46kg), Baby Jessica Canabal (-53kg), Laizel Angela Abucay (-53kg), Czarina Mae Danganan (-57kg), Jubilee Briones (-62kg), Merica Lillyn Chan (-67kg), Laila Delo (-67kg), Samanta Gley Duria (-42kg, Junior Division) and Cheska Paula Banawa (-49kg, Junior Division).
Representing the men’s Poomsae squad are Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape, Justin Kobe Macario, Darius Venerable, Joaquin Dominic Tuzon, Ian Matthew Corton, Patrick King Perez, King Nash Alcairo and Jay-R Casas.
The women’s Poomsae lineup is composed of Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Sofia Ysabelle Sarmiento, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Zyka Angelica Santiago, Janna Dominique Oliva, Maria Nicole Anne Labayne, Juliana Mykhail Candelaria, Aidaine Krishia Laxa, Aesha Kiara Oglayon, Julianna Martha Uy and Stella Nicole Yape.
Coaching the Philippine delegation are Kirstie Elaine Alora, Gershon Bautista, Paul Romero, Rani Ann Ortega and Jeordan Dominguez.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.
Leave a Reply