AsPac taekwondo invit’l set in Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines - A total of nine countries, headed by host Philippines, will converge in Iloilo for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Taekwondo Invitational Championships slated tomorrow until March at the SM Iloilo City.

The Philippine Taekwondo Association and the Iloilo City government have signed a memorandum of agreement for the staging of the prestigious event which is sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation and supported by Smart.

Aside from the Philippines, other participating countries are Korea, US, Guam, Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam.

Korea will field in three teams actually – Dankook, An San and Suingshin.

According to PTA OIC Hong Sung Chon, “the event is a good opportunity for our athletes to display their skills and widen their experience.  It also provides the Philippines the chance to help promote friendship and camaraderie within the taekwondo family.”

The Philippines has already formed its team for the competition which is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Iloilo City Government, the PTA, the World Taekwondo Federation, SMART, SM and Milo.

Francis Aaron Agojo, Keith Benjamin Sembrano, Christian Al dela Cruz, Lorenz Chavez, Jenar Torillos, Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison, Eddtone Bob Lumasac, Kristopher Robert Uy, Paul Romero, Enrique Edgardo Mora IV and Wasber Rasad are among the participants of the two-day meet.

Agojo will be the jinn to watch for after striking a gold medal in the World University Games.

Sen. Franklin Drilon welcomed the tournament as a sign of Iloilo’s commitment to sports tourism. 

“Ilonggos are naturally inclined to athletic activities, and this tournament is a great way to start making Iloilo a major sports hub in the Visayas,” he said.