SIXTEEN well-trained Filipino jins will participate in the taekwondo World Junior Qualification Tournament for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the World Junior Championships on April 6-13, 2018 in Hammamet, Tunisia.
According to the Philippine Taekwondo Association, 10 male and six female fighters will carry the colors of Meralco/MVP Sports Foundation in the twin events which will also feature athletes from over 70 countries such as Korea, Iran, France, Germany, the United States and Turkey.
The Filipino entries are:
Male—Kian Graydon Ashe (-48kg), Dex Ian Chavez (-55kg), Russel Villanueva (-63kg), Vonn Christopherson Edillor (-45kg), Rommel Pablo Jr. (-48kg), Aljen Aynaga (-51kg), Andrew Ely Medina (-63kg), Arby Garriega (-68kg), Ramcess Bautista (-73kg) and Gabriel Teruel (-78kg).
Female—Abigail Faye Valdez (-44kg), Laize Angela I. Abucay (-49kg), Shaira Isabel Garbanzos (-55kg), Geriane Kendall Therese Pineda (-42kg), Reign Charisse Ragutana (-59kg), and Maria Laney Kaye Panahon (-46kg).
Tem Igor Mella is the team head while the coaches are Alvin Taraya, Carlos Jose Padilla V and Brix Darmo Ramos.
PTA Secretary General and Makati Congressman Monsour Del Rosario, a former international multi-titled jin, says the Tunisia-bound fighters will try to duplicate the gold triumph of countryman Paolo Borromeo in the 1996 World Junior Championships in Barcelona.
The youthful Filipino athletes are supported by Smart Communications, PLDT, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
