RP jins cop 9 golds in World t’kwondo

The Philippines bagged 32 medals, including nine golds, in the recent World Taekwondo Hwarang Festival in Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk, Korea.

The Filipinos also won nine silvers and 14 bronzes in the week-long event which drew participants from 80 countries.

"As in the past, our athletes did very well," noted Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado. "I attribute this successful campaign to the rigid training and preparation supervised by our vice president, Mr. Hong (Sung Chon)."

The gold medalists were heavyweight Niño Patrick Ivan Ferrer (boys), fin Korinah Marie Natura (girls), feather Cristine Joy Benedictos (girls), light heavy Geneve Castillo (girls), bantam Giorgio Von Gerry de Guzman (junior men), fin Kharzma Handang (junior women), bantam Gerrielynn Decatus (junior women), feather Kathleen Eunice Alora (junior women) and the team of Myra Oliveros, Renee Ann Ortega, Rani Ann Ortega, Maria del Carmen Galvez and Ma. Carla Janice Lagman in group compulsory poomse.

The other medalists were:

Silver — David Yuson, fly, boys; Everlasting Felomina Juarez, fin, girls; Eric John de Leon, feather, junior men; Pauline Reyes, fin, junior women; Jenefer Tayag, light, junior women; Kirstie Alora, light middle, junior women; Arnold Oglayon, fly, senior men; Melvin Morte, Danrey Velo, Gilbert Balancar and Arnold Oglayon, group creative poomse; and Myra Oliveros, Renee Ann Ortega, Rani Ann Ortega, Maria del Carmen Galvez and Ma. Carla Janice Lagman, taekwon gymnastics.

Bronze — Cristine Joy Benedictos, individual compulsory poomse; Melvin Morte, Danrey Velo, Gilbert Balancar and Arnold Oglayon, taekwon gymnastics; Ronnie Mercado, fin, boys; Fernand Delizo, bantam, boys; Julio Rafael Marasigan, fly, boys; Rolf Gagujas, fly, boys; Louie Velasquez, feather, boys; Julius Loren Dominado, light middle, boys; Christine Ana Marie Rubio, light welter, girls; Raymund Abellar, fly, junior men; Sarah Joy Arellano, light, junior women; Billy Joel Corral, fin, senior men; Ana Kristyl de Leon, fly, senior women; and Maria del Carmen Galvez, welter, junior women.