Pinoy jins face world’s best in Manchester

MANILA, Philippines — After an impressive ASEAN tournament win, the Philippines targets bigger success when it competes in the 2019 World Taekwondo Championships on May 11-20 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Six male and four female jins will carry the Smart/MVP Sports Foundation colors in the prestigious event to be participated in by 94 other countries such as Korea, China, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese Taipei and the United States.

The Filipino fighters are:

Male – Kurt Brian Barbosa (-54kg), Dex Ian Chavez (-58kg), Keno Anthony Mendoza (-63kg), Arven Alcantara (-68kg), Dave Cea (-74kg) and Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-80kg).

Female – Veronica Garces (46kg), Baby Jessica Canabal (-49kg), Rheza Aragon (-53kg) and Pauline Louise Lopez (-57kg).

The officials are Tem Igor Mella (head of team), Christian Al dela Cruz and Carlos Jose Padilla V (coaches), Kim Hyoung (trainer) and Janneth Tenorio (photographer).

The Philippines has always been regarded among the top contenders in important international events like the world championship.  The competition will also serve as preparation for the Filipinos’ participation in the Southeast Asian Games to be held here.

Only recently, the Filipinos bagged 95 medals, including 22 in poomsae (forms) in ruling the ASEAN championships sanctioned by the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation and hosted by the Philippines.

The Philippine team’s trip is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Olympic