Mangin wins gold in world Jr. taekwondo

MANILA, Philippines — The “golden era” for Philippine sports has never ceased to churn out world-beaters.

On Friday, it produced another one in gutsy Tachiana Mangin, who ruled the women’s -49-kilogram class of the World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea.

Showing nerves of steel, Mangin shocked local jin Kim Hyang-gi in a pulsating 2-1 victory that completed her reign in the 47-fighter field.

Mangin just became another world champion for a country that has already produced many in the past, the biggest of which was Paris double-gold artistic gymnastics winner Carlos Yulo.

Along the way, Mangin hurdled Greek Lamprini Anna Asimaki in the semifinals, Egyptian Habiba Wael Emerah in the quarters, Thai Natkamon Wassana in the Round of 16, and Spaniard Judith Cordoba in the opening round.

It wasn’t all roses though as countrywoman Rhiyanne Cadilena fell in the round-of-16 to Violeta Diaz of Spain, 2-0, in the women’s 46kg, Felix Ace Perez succumbed in the first round of the men’s -48kg after yielding to Mikhail Korostelev, 2-0, and Felicity Jana Castel faltering to Deya Peeva of Bulgaria, 2-0, in the women’s -44kg in the opening round.

Also shown the door were Ethan Chavez, who lost to France’s Noah Garcia, 2-0, in his first match in the men’s 51kg, and Michael Cabaluna Jr, who was defeated by Konstantinos Tsagkournos of Greece, 2-0, in the men’s -45kg.