Best of the Best taekwondo championships get going

MANILA, Philippines - The biggest gathering of the country’s finest jins takes place today when the 2010 Smart MVP Best of the Best taekwondo championships reel off at the Music Hall of the San Miguel By The Bay at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay.

Around 500 competitors from 12 regions, including members of the Philippine team and gold medalists in major national taekwondo events, are seeing action in the day-long meet organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) and supported by Smart Communications Inc. and PLDT.

PLDT/Smart chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan serves as the guest of honor in the 1 p.m. opening ceremonies, while delivering the inspirational message is Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr.

Also gracing the affair are Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Richie Garcia and PLDT/Smart president Napoleon Nazareno.

Rani Ann Ortega, a member of the three-man team that won the gold in the World Poomsae Championship last year, is the emcee. Organizing committee chairman Danilo Mojica, also the PTA vice-president, expects action-packed competition as top bets vie for honors in the seniors, juniors and grade school divisions.

“It’s definitely a big thrill, especially for sports fans and martial arts enthusiasts, seeing the best of the best in local taekwondo going up against each other,” Mojica says.

Two-time Olympians Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go and Asian Taekwondo Championship silver medalist Japoy Lizardo are among those pitting their skills against top winners from the different national tournaments in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the UAAP, NCAA, AFP-PNP Olympics and all PTA Metro Manila and regional competitions.

Competition proper starts at 9 a.m. and will be free to the public.

Tournament director Jesus Morales III will declare open the event, while Lizardo leads the oath of sportsmanship. Providing the special presentation is the Philippine Taekwondo demonstration team.

Others invited to the event are Smart chief wireless adviser Orlando Vea, Wireless Community Solution Group head Perry Bayani, Brand Equity Management head Guido Zaballero, Buddy and Int’l Services head Ms Tricia Dizon, POC chairman Monico Puentevella, POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros and PSC commissioners Joaquin Loyzaga, Akiko Thomson-Guevara, Salvador Andrada and Jose Luis Reyes-Gomez.