Despite the pandemic which limited their movement for almost two years, Iloilo MVP Taekwondo jins maintained their dominance in the just-concluded 1st Regional Face-to-Face Taekwondo Poomsae Championships held in SM City, Iloilo over the weekend.

The Denmark Pinggol-trained jins harvested 13 gold medals out of the team’s 17-medal haul.

Fresh faces from home of the young champions bannered the squad with Jenella Ashley Tionko winning the gold medal in the Cadet Female Redbelt division.

Other gold medalists included Nathan Lee Dedal, Nieka Thalia Guevara, Sirhc Einreb Damaolao, Princess Hannah Mia Cruz, Xabriel Zia Gebucion, Arvin Kirk Derayunan, Anthony Benedict Planta, Lindsy Lorriane Degayo, Viene Marie Dulaca, and Elisha Meila Paradero.

The Kids Redbelt Team also snatched the gold, courtesy of Anthony Benedict Planta, Veine Marie Dulaca, and Charee Marie Florence Genecela. The Kids Bluebelt Team replicated the gold medal feat after Nieka Thalia Guevara, Amber Gale Abellar, and Nathan Lee Dedal topped the competition.

Four MVP jins also secured the silver medals through Trisha Derren Cayanan, Amber Gale Abelar, Margarette Gem Obsequio, Alicia Sophia Gutierrez, and Phil Caleb Regalado.

Special recognitions were also awarded to two MVP jins as Nieka Guevara recieved the Best Player in the Kid’s Female Bluebelt Division and Elisha Meila Paradero got the Best Player in Cadet Female Bluebelt division.

“We’re happy nga after almost three years, na experience nila ang face-to-face. Wala man sang bag-o since active man kami sa mga online matches. Pero lain ang feeling sang face-to-face kay iban mayha pa. But we’re happy nga na overcome namon ini and naghatag ini more confidence sa amon mga bata and hopefully mag sige sige na ini para maka experience sila sang manami nga competition especially sa sparring,” Pinggol shared.

Organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Regional Management Committee 6B headed by poomsae Council Chairman Flora Navales, the tournament was participated in by more or less 130 taekwondo jins from all over Western Visayas.IMT Sports