Go, Rivero banner RP jins bid

MANILA, Philippines - Twelve of the country’s top-rated jins, led by Olympic veterans Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero, will banner the Smart Philippines taekwondo team in the 2009 World Championships on Oct. 14-18 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“Our athletes have trained long and hard for this major international event,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado.

Aside from Athens and Beijing Olympic campaigners Go and Rivero who will compete in the under 63-kilogram and under 67-kg divisions, respectively, 10 other players will carry the national colors in the tournament supported by Smart Communications Inc. and the Philippine Sports Commission.

These are:

Men - John Paul Lizardo (under 54 kg), Nicole Mapilisan (under 58 kg), Jeffrey Figueroa (under 68 kg), Marlon Avenido (under 80 kg) and Alexander Bionez (plus 87 kg).

Women - Jyra Marie Lizardo (under 49 kg), Kathleen Eunice Alora (under 53 kg), Karla Jane Alava (under 57 kg), Maria Criselda Roxas (under 62 kg) and Kirstie Elaine Alora (under 73 kg).

The team officials are Danilo Mojica II (delegation head), Raul Samson (men’s team manager), Jesus Morales III (women’s team manager), Kim Hong Sik (men’s coach) and Dindo Simpao (women’s coach).