Philippine jins vying in Malaysia tourney
MANILA, Philippines — Carrying the colors of SMART/MVP Sports Foundaton, a 17-man Philippine taekwondo team bids for more international honors when it competes in the 2018 Asia Pacific Masters Games on Sept. 6-9 in Palembang, Malaysia.
Two officials and 15 athletes make up the Philippine squad which sees action against entries from 34 other countries in two events – kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae (forms).
Among the Filipinos’ tough rivals in the tournament are Korea, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Iran and China.
Raul Samson is the team head with Carlos Jose Padilla V as coach. The Filipino athletes are:
Kyorugi – Joseph Gadiana (-58 kg), Roderick Rivera (-58 kg), Jan Joseph Hernandez (-68 kg), Arnold Valenzuela (-80 kg) and Renan Desaluna (-80 kg).
Poomsae – Jean Pierre Sabido, playing coach; Galilee Tinaya, Ernesto Guzman Jr., June Ninobla, Glenn Buenafe, Jerry Ysmael, Joel Lacsamana, Eulogio Rodriguez, Alileah Dulce Amor Perez and Vina Marie Ignacio-Rivera.
Filipino fighters have always been considered among the top performers in prestigious international competitions because of the year-round training and preparations conducted by the Philippine Taekwondo Associaition.
The Malaysia-bound Phl team is supported by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.
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