MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Smart national taekwondo team led by veteran internationalist John Paul Lizardo flew to Korea recently to compete in the seventh Korea Open international championships which got under way yesterday.
The team will see action in both the kyorugi (sparring) and poomsae (forms) events. The Pinoy jins will also undergo exclusive training in preparation for the upcoming world tournament and other top-level events next year.
“This special undertaking by our athletes will improve their fighting spirit and further sharpen their skills,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association vice president Sung Chun Hong shortly before the team left a few days ago.
All the top sparring and poomsae athletes make up the squad which will train against varsity and professional performers in the best Korean schools and gymnasiums which have produced world champions. Two of these are the Pung Saeng School and the Sang Moo Military Varsity squad.
The other members of the team are:
Male (senior sparring) – Justin Benedict Medina, Paul Romero, Gershon Bautista, Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison, Christian Al dela Cruz and Roberto Kristopher Uy.
Women (senior sparring) – Mary Anjelay Pelaez, Ma. Isabella Erika Mora, Jade Zafra, Jane Rafelle Narra and Kirstie Elaine Alora.
Male (junior sparring) – Mathew Michael Padilla, Francis Aaron Agojo, Enrique Edgardo Mora IV, Keno Anthony Mendoza, Benjamin Keith Sembrano, Juan Miguel Ramos, Joaquin Mendoza Jr., Aaron Jaime Galita and King Philip Pineda.
Women (junior sparring) – Inna Izabella Dionisio, Korina Paladin, Nicole Abigail Cham, Suzzane Glehn Caslangen, Bianca Maurice Go, Melanie Hope Douglas, Patricia Francesca Gonzalez and Cleio Marie Banez.
Poomsae (senior male) – Jean Pierre Sabido, Galilee Tinaya, Vidal Marvin Gabriel and Ernesto Guzman Jr. (Senior female) – Rani Ann Ortega, Ma. Carla Janice Lagman, Beatrice Ann Ventura and Patricia Mae Sembrano. (Junior men) – Moses Bullicer, Dustin Jacob Mella, Raphael Enrico Mella and Miguel Calamba. (Junior female) – Mikaela Calamba, Maegan Bugarin, Mary Nichole Maurin and Rinna Babanto.
Victor Emmanuel Veneracion is head of the team while the coaches are Kim Hong Sik and Dindo Simpao (senior sparring) and Ko Jun Ho (junior team).
The team’s participation in the Korea Open and the training are supported by Smart Communications Inc./MVP Sports Foundation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Philippine Sports Commission.