MANILA, Philippines - Nag-uwi ang mga taekwondo jins ng SMART/MVP Sports Foundation ng kabuuang 13 medalya, kasama rito ang dalawang gold medals, sa nakaraang Korea Open championships sa Chuncheon Gangwon-do, South Korea.
Si junior kyorugi (free sparring) campaigner Beatrice Kassandra Gaerlan at ang poomsae (forms) senior women’s team nina Rinna Babanto, Jocel Lyn Ninobla at Juvenile Faye Crisostomo ang kumuha ng dalawang ginto sa naturang torneo.
Kumuha rin ang SMART/MVP SF team ng tatlong silver at walong bronze medals sa week-long event na nilahukan ng 2,500 atleta mula sa 50 bansa.
Nag-ambag naman sina junior kyorugi bet Rryshel Jasmin Ramirez at senior kyorugi fighter Veronica Garces at ang poomsae senior women’s mixed pair nina Patrick King Perez at Robiegayle Lee Navales ng tatlong silver medals.
Ang mga nag-ambag ng bronze medals ay ang poomsae senior women’s individual performers na sina Crisostomo, bahagi ng gold-medal champion team, at Elizabeth Cesista, at ang junior kyorugi bets na sina Mayn Yengele Coran, Raymundo Alombro III, Gian Carlo Gutierrez at Sal Luigi Estrada at sina senior kyorugi bets Jenar Torillos at Pauline Louise Lopez.
“Our athletes deserve commendations for their auspicious showing. Their long, rigorous training paid off,” sabi ni Philippine Taekwondo Association CEO Sung Chon Hong.
Tinalo ni Gaerlan ang dalawang Koreans sa quarterfinals at semifinals bago gibain ang nakaharap niyang Thai fighter, 3-2, sa gold-medal match.