CEBU, Philippines - From a single gold last year, Team Cebu scooped three gold this time spiced up with four silvers and six bronzes in the National Carlos Palanca, Jr. Taekwondo Championships recently in Manila.
Mikeala Calamba, who produced Cebu's lone gilt last year, was no longer allowed to join the event. Instead, she was made to perform a demonstration of her victorious performance during the 2012 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Colombia.
With Calamba acting as their chief cheerleader, the Cebuano jins gamely rose to the challenge, with veteran playing-coach Glenn Lava winning gold in the senior 2 poomsae.
Rinna Ghurl stamped her class in the junior female poomsae, while the cadet team of Nichole Maurin, Aidaine Krishia Laxa and Clement Tan delivered Cebu’s third gold. Ghurl also snatched a silver in the poomsae pair along with Mac-Mac Alob.
The rest of the silver medallist from Team Cebu were Maurin (cadet), Nica Garces (kyorugi cadet), and Miguel Calamba, Moses Bullecer and Marvin Joseph Agor (senior men’s).
The six bronze medals were turned over by EJ Garces (kyorugi-junior men), Melody Jane Infante, Clement Tan and Aila Lepon (kyorugi cadet), Mac-Mac Alob (junior poomsae) and Moses Bullicer (men's senior poomsae). — (FREEMAN)