Cebuano jins shine in Asian tikefest

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebuano jins made significant contribution to Team Philippines' campaign in the 7th Asian Junior Taekwondo Championship by hauling several medals from the poomsae event of the week-long action held recently in Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Mikaela “Kokoy” Calamba of the University of San Carlos (USC) showed grace under pressure to win gold medal in the individual freestyle poomsae or forms in taekwondo.

Calamba truly lived up to what was expected of her being the PSA Taekwondo Star for 2012 and 'Athlete of the Year" by the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC).

Three other Cebuano junior poomsae artists delivered the goods, with Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu's McAvyngyr Alob and Abellana National School's Rinna Babantoin basking in the glow of a golden performance in the pair freestyle event.

The 15-year-old Alob also got a bronze with two other bets from Manila through the boys team competition.

Maegan Bugarin, another jin from USC, also won bronze medal in team event.

Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA)  regional chairman Tony del Prado gave due credit to coach Glenn Lava and regional poomsae director Avenger Alob for all the hardwork and sacrifices they put in molding world-class poomsae players. (FREEMAN)