Twenty-four well-trained Filipino jins will see action in the Asian Taekwondo championships for kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae on May 24-28 in Ho Chih Minh City, Vietnam.
Six male and six female fighters will carry the colors of SMART/MVP Sports Foundation national team in the free sparring event while 12 male and female performers will banner PLDT Home Ultera/MVPSF squad in the poomsae competition.
The Filipino campaigners in kyorugi are:
Male—Carlo Dominic Dionisio (-54kg), Jenar Torillos (-58kg), Francis Aaron Agojo (-63kg), Arven Alcantara (-68kg), Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-80kg), and Kristopher Robert Uy (-87kg).
Female—Veronica Garces (-46kg),Baby Jessica Cannabal (-49kg), Rhezie Aragon (-53kg), Pauline Louie Lopez (-57kg), Darleen Mae Arpon (-62kg), and Kisties Elaine Alora (+73kg).
Competing in poomsae are:
Male—Dustin Jacob Mella, Raphael Enrico Mella, Patrick King Perez, Jeordan Dominguez, Mark Lorenz Balcita and June Ninobla.
Female—Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Rinna Babanto, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Claire Therese Gascon, Janna Dominique Oliva and Alileah Dulce Amor Perez.
The team officials are Tem Igor Mella, head; Dindo Simpson, John Paul Lizardo, Kyorgui coaches; Rani Ann Ortega, Edrick Jhaney Galing, Poomsae coaches; Stephen Fernandez, Delegate; and Roland Campos, International referee.
The Filipinos will compete against entries from 35 countries like Korea, Iran, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Indonesia.
The competition serves as preparation for the Filipinos’ participation in the much-awaited 18th Asian Games in Palembang, Jakarta.
The PH team is supported by PLDT, Meralco, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
