Top jins eye nat’l team slots in SMART CPJ tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran internationalists John Paul Lizardo and Kirstie Elaine Alora head a tough field of athletes who will vie for this year’s Philippine team slots in the SMART CPJ (Carlos Palanca Jr.) taekwondo championships set on Feb. 2-3 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Those making the national team (in kyorugi or free sparring) will compete in the 2013 World Cup Championships in Dakar, Senegal, ASEAN Championships in Myanmar, World Championships in Mexico and the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar; junior national team members will vie in the Asian Junior Championships in Indonesia, World Cadet Championships in Rome and the poomsae (forms) members will see action in the 2013 World Poomsae Championships in Indonesia,” reveals tournament organizing chairman Grandmaster Sung Chon Hong.

At least 800 athletes are expected to vie in the free sparring and poomsae competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, SMART Communications, MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, Meralco, TV5 and Milo.

A new division called Cadet, featuring 12- to 14-year-old bets, has been added to the sparring program, while poomsae competition has been divided into three divisions, namely, individual, team and mixed pair with 13 categories – Cadet (12-14-year-olds), junior (15-17), 1st senior A (13-18), 1st senior B (24-29), 2nd senior (30-39), Master (40 and above), Cadet pair, junior pair, senior pair, Cadet team, junior team, 1st team and 2nd team.

In addition Cadet, the age brackets in sparring have been listed as 18 and above for senior, 15 to 17 for junior and 11 and below for grade school.

The PSS (Protector Scoring System) will be used in the free sparring competition.

Competition on Feb. 2 will feature free sparring for grade school (girls and boys), Cadet division and poomsae (forms) for all divisions.

The following day, activities will be conducted in free sparring (kyorugi) for junior and senior (men and women) campaigners.

Parents interested to enroll their children in taekwondo and other sports enthusiasts are invited to watch.  Action starts at 9 a.m.