Philippines hosts 14th ASEAN taekwondo tourney

MANILA, Philippines — Taekwondo gets top sports billing on May 4-5 when the Philippine Taekwondo Association stages the 14th ASEAN Championships at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The Philippines’ well-trained jins are expected to put up a good showing in the two-day event against fighters from seven other countries, namely, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Brunei and Singapore.

Participants in the tournament sanctioned by the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation will vie for honors in kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae (forms) in three divisions – senior, junior and cadet.

The event comes before the Philippine hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games later this year.

The Philippines has produced many medalists in previous ASEAN taekwondo competitions.  Among the Filipino gold winners were Jenar Torillos, Christian Al dela Cruz, Kristopher Robert Uy, Laila Delo, Rommel Pablo Jr., Shirly Badol, Lorenz Chavez, Aaron Francis Agojo, Gershon Bautista, Anjelay Pelaez, Kristie Elaine Alora, Enrique Edgardo Mora, Ernesto John Mendoza, Juan Miguel Ramos, Bea Mariel Go and Irene Therese Bermejo.

The international event is supported by MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, SM Supermalls and Milo.