CDU lass wins taekwondo gold in Vietnam

CEBU, Philippines – Shaneen Ched Sia is just new to Cebu but swiftly made her presence felt as she snatched gold and bronze medals in the 9th Asean Taekwondo Federation Championships recently in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Sia, a native of Cagayan de Oro City who is currenly taking up Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at Cebu Doctors’ University, was part of the RP Team who dominated the poomsae event along with Janice Lagman and Camille Alarilla.

Poomsae or forms in taekwondo is relatively new to the country, but Sia, Lagman and Alarilla showed that the Pinays can outdo their Asian counterparts.

After the team competition, Sia also competed in the junior girls individual poomsae and in the Kyorugi or sparring where she finished with a bronze.

In the kyorugi, Sia, a 2nd dan black belter, missed the final round by just a point, 2-3, against a jin from Indonesia under the featherweight class.

Inspite of that, Sia’s achievement greatly helped RP in claiming the overall championship over a host of countries that include Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Sia plunges back into training under the watchful eyes of Cebuano 4th dan black belter Kenn Toledo for the National Poomsae Taekwondo Championships on July 26 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)