Abigail Valdez was looking for a chance to compete in a bigger stage in taekwondo.
The 20-year-old Valdez may have found her break after she upset 2019 Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist Veronica Garces on Wednesday in the taekwondo events of the 2022 Philippine Sports Commission-organized Women’s Martial Arts Festival at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Valdez scored a 2-1 win over Garces in the flyweight finals, giving University of Santo Tomas its third gold medal in the event.
Her gold-medal win lifted up her hopes that she may someday be promoted from Team B of the national team to Team A.
“Sana mabigyan ako ng chance to compete in bigger tournaments,” said Valdez, who scored a crucial point in the third round with well-placed 45-degree kicks and punches.
Valdez, who has been in Team B since 2016, advanced to the finals after she won over another national jin, Clarence Sarza.
“It was a very fulfilling experience. Nakakalaban ko iyung mga top players ng UAAP at NCAA,” added Valdez.
A win over Arellano University’s Ryanne de Juan allowed Valdez to reach the quarterfinal round.
Her teammates Raven Pablo (bantamweight) and Realis Tabiando (featherweight) also claimed gold medals for UST.
Pablo prevailed over teammate Germaine Pineda, 3-1, while Tabiando whipped College of St. Benilde’s Laralee Natividad, 2-1, for the gold.
In muaythai, national team mainstay Mary Glyde Salazar took the top honors in the 48-kgs category, while Rudzma Abubakar claimed the gold in the 51-kg action.
Team Bagsik’s Islay Erika Bomogao claimed the gold in the waikru individual finals, while Ronelyn Tondag ruled the -45 kg class, and Baby Jane Buzon topped the +45 kg action.
In sambo, Princess Cortez and Aislinn Yap dominated the -54 kg and 80 kg matches, respectively.