Biggest PTA taekwondo event slated

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Taekwondo Association will hold its biggest national team event – the 37th Smart Championships –  July 20-21 at the Rizal Coliseum.

Around 2,000 jins from various PTA chapters and affiliates all over the country, including members of the Philippine squad, will see action in the two-day competition sponsored by Smart Communications Inc., PLDT, Meralco, TV5, Milo, Philippine Sports Commission and the MVP Sports Foundation.

Among these teams are Ateneo, DLSU, College of St. Benilde, UST, UE, FEU, LSGH, Lyceum, San Beda College, Don Bosco Makati, UP Diliman, Team Baguio, Central Gymnasium, Negros Taekwondo Union, Cebu, DPS, Olympic, DLSZ, San Beda Alabang, Powerflex, Don Bosco Mandaluyong, Las Piñas Gym, PNP, Navy, Air Force and Army.

Competition will be conducted among male and female fighters in the senior, junior, cadet and grade school divisions.

Each team will be composed of five players and two alternates.  Members of the national pool will compete for their respective home teams.

Newly elected Sen. Grace Poe, a taekwondo blackbelter and former student of organizing committee chairman and grandmaster Sung Chon Hong, will be the guest of honor.

A performance by the Phl Taekwondo Demonstration Team will highlight the opening rites.

The taekwondo officiating system – PSS (protective scoring system), ESS (electronic scoring system) and DAEDO PSS – will be used to eliminate human error.  The IVR (instant video replay) system will also be implemented.

Martial arts enthusiasts and sports fans, especially children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch the competition, which starts at 9 a.m.