Some of the country’s finest Smart/Petron national junior jins face an international acid test when they compete in the 2008 Korean Open championships organized by the Korean Taekwondo Association in Gyeonggi province Nov. 1-6.
“This (participation) gives our upcoming players the chance to match skills with the best taekwondo bets from 40 countries, including Korea, Chinese Taipei, the US, China, France and Spain,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado.
The competition also serves as a preparation for local athletes in their bid to compete in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and the Asian Youth Games qualification tournament.
The Smart/Petron team will be composed of 18 players (nine male and nine female), four officials and one international referee.
Jesus Morales III heads the delegation. Kim Hong Sik is the team manager while the coaches are Roberto Cruz (male) and Dax Alberto Morfe (female). Roland Campos serves as the international arbiter.
The athletes are:
Men – Allen Neil Lim (fly junior I), James Martin Luzuriaga (bantam junior I), Jude Andrew Solis (feather junior I), R-Jay del Rosario (feather junior I), Mark Reynald Dizon (light junior I), Romero Paul (welter junior I), Kirk Barbosa (bantam junior II), Rommel Arvin Yadao (feather junior II), and Gerry del Rosario (welter junior II).
Women – Iyra April Tindoc (bantam junior I), Karla Jane Alava (light junior I), Jade Zafra (welter junior I), Maria Camille Manalo (middle junior I), Charizza Camille Alombro (fly junior II), Leigh Anne Nuguid (bantam junior II), Jyra Marie Lizardo (feather junior II), Apriel May Solimen (light junior II) and Mary Joannina Langit (welter junior II).
The team’s participation is sponsored by SMART Communications, PLDT, Petron, Philippine Sports Commission and Adidas.