Yape, Candelaria banner Philippines cast in world poomsae

MANILA, Philippines —   Two Asian Games-bound taekwondo jins get the chance enhance their skills and routines when they compete at the 2026 World Poomsae Taekwondo Championships on Sept. 16-20 in Chuncheon, South Korea.

Philippine Taekwondo Association Grandmaster Sung-Chon Hong is confident the event would give 22-year-old Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape and 18-year-old Juliana Mykhail Candelaria the needed boost for the Asiad.

Backed by Smart/MVP Sports Foundation, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Milo, a 42-strong Phl team is entered in the event, set to compete in the Senior, Junior, and Cadet divisions.

The senior men are Hangzhou Games bronze medalist Patrick King Perez, Ian Matthew Corton, Joaquin Dominic Tuzon, King Nash Alcairo, Darius Venerable, Justin Kobe Macario, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., Jay-R Casas, Ernesto Guzman, Jr., and June Ninobla. Apart from Candelaria, the senior women are Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Maria Nicole Anne Labayne, Sofia Ysabelle Sarmiento, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Janna Dominique Oliva, Zyka Angelica Santiago, Aidaine Krishia Laxa, and Julianna Martha Uy.

The jr. males are Caleb Angelo Calde, Marcus Jared Maquiraya, Alfonzo Gabriel Tormon, Adrian Joseph Gajasan, Jose Javier Mella, Aeden Roffer Cereno, Ashton Martin Losaria, and Reijes Mcheil Landicho while the jr. women are Clarissa Louise Gallego, Austine Zulaika Macaraeg, Angel Lyn Dacanay, Eesha Ysabela Cunanan, Erica Jen Amora, Marielle Elaine Montecillo, and Rhianne Jane Macabales, while making the Cadet Men are Xian Gabriel Gamata, Johann Gabriel Ventura, and Damien Azlan Marcela.

Joniya Yua Ysabelle Obiacoro, Berenice Yuri Cupit, Jeianna Karrlyn Dela Cruz, and Jamella Jareau Crane Mabanglo are the cadet women in the delegation headed by Tem Igot Mella with Rani Ann Ortega and Jeordan Dominguez as coaches.