600 jins vie in Smart nat’l all-women’s meet

MANILA, Philippines - Lady athletes take the spotlight on June 2 with the staging of the 2013 Smart national All-Women’s taekwondo championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Around 600 of the country’s upcoming and leading taekwondo practitioners are expected to vie for honors in the one-day tournament organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, SMART Communications, MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, Meralco, TV 5 and Milo.

The event gives lady jins the chance to display their determination, discipline, confidence and skills in one of the country’s most popular martial arts competitions.

According to organizing committee chairman Sung Chon Hong, the tourney is categorized into novice and advance players who will participate in the senior, junior, cadet and grade school divisions.

There will also be competition in the individual and team events of Poomsae for colored and blackbelt students.

Poomsae, which means forms, is performed by following a systematic time of movement in a consecutive sequence against an imaginary opponent or multiple opponents.  It consists of movements using the hands and feet and interconnected techniques like blocking, punching, striking, thrusting and kicking.

The tourney supports PTA’s commitment to the development of sports and, more importantly, the government’s grassroots program.

All affiliated PTA chapters and branches in Metro Manila and the provinces, including the various military branches, have agreed to send their athletes.  Members of the national team are also expected to join.

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