CEBU, Philippines - Cebuana Mayn Coran makes the final cut for the country's representatives to the 1st World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Azerbaijan in July.
Coran took part in a series of tryouts in Manila and impressed the national coaching staff with her power and consistency.
Coran's inclusion in the said event was further validated when the 13-year-old came up with a stellar performance in last week's Palarong Pambansa in Laguna where she defeated the 16-year-old Thea Bermejo of Western Visayas, a world silver medallist, in the quarterfinal round.
Beating Bermejo exceeded everyone's expectations of Coran.
"It was the most-awaited match of the competition as people were expecting dominance from Thea Bermejo of region 6. However, at just 13, Coran exceeded expectations and fought the much older world silver medallist toe-to-toe and win in the end," said Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) regional chairman Tony del Prado.
Coran's victory over Bermerjo jacked up her confidence level on the way to snare one of Central Visayas' five golds in taekwondo.
Coran, who is coached by her sister Frauline Joy and Michael Angelo Realista, will be fielded in the lightweight division during the World Championships. (FREEMAN)