Amassing a total of 33 gold, 24 silver, and 22 bronze medals, the Iloilo MVP Taekwondo Gym continued to dominate the sports in the just-concluded Dinagyang Online Invitational Poomsae & Speedkicking Taekwondo Championships.

The Denmark Pinggol-trained jins maintained their menacing forms, harvesting 79 medals from its main gym and Dumangas MVP gym.

Fresh faces proved that they are representing the Home of the Champions, beating other gyms in the province. Gold medalists were James Annrhey Pecayco, Eujean Ivanka Castete, Sophia Marie Bautista, Geon Ivan Dulaca, Andria Margaret Palabrica, Alicia Sophia Gutierrez, Alyanah Julienne Tionko, Jeremi Panaguiton, Phil Andrew Margarico, and Princess Hannah Mia Cruz. Jenella Ashley Tionko, on the other hand, took home two gold medals in both Poomsae and Speed Kicking. Francheska Isobelle Dunton got the gold in Speed Kicking and silver Poomsae.

“When I joined the competition, I did not except to win because the cadet level is more challenging than the gradeschool level. This is my first cadet competition that’s why I did my best without expecting. This year I look forward to train harder and I know there’s going to be more failures but it is the time to improve my skills more,” shared Palabrica.

Sirhc Einreb Damaolao won silver in speed kicking and bronze in Poomsae. Other silver finishers were Justin Adrian Apura, Phil Caleb Regalado, Shanen Anica Feranco, Margarette Gem Obsequio, Adriel Elexus Balberona, Gabriel Dominic Capadosa, Johann Miguel Macanas, Kristhel May Turbanos, Xabriel Zia Gebucion, Alyzza C’lynn Alindote, and Edward Joseph Layson

Enzo Lucio Cape, Anthony Benedict Planta, Van Enzo Carreon, James Xander Calubo, Denzel Espadilla, and Jeremiah Miguel Ong brought home the bronze medals.

Meanwhile, Dumangas MVP jins contributed medals for the teams bannered by Nieka Thalia Guevara, Reyven Ken Decolongon, Amber Gale Abellar, Zean Divinagracia, Alexis Jane Robles, Carl Tyrone, Joannah, and Khent Wharlie Donguila, Nathan Lee Dedal, and Merial An Detablan, Ryza Chanel Tabucan, Prince Ivan and Adrian Renz Barcemo, Vince Gian Feñafiel, Rein Ian Dongosa, Je Ann Decolongon, Lindsy Lorriane Degayo, John Lioven Duhina, Grezell Palacios, and Christian Mark Palacios.

“Super happy gid ako kay wala gid ko ga expect nga magdaog sa competition nga ini. Gina encourage gid ako ni Sir Mark nga mag join. So nag training ako kag gapamati gid ka laygay ni Sir kag ang tanan nga gina laygay ya gina sunod ko gid. Bisan super kapoy na gina tiis ko lang kay gusto ko nga matuto gid,” Duhina said.

For Pinggol, he said the key to their victory is because of hard work and determination.

“This Dinagyang, we don’t have any idea if ma push through siya. What we did is focus on training and conditioning sa mga kids. Whatever event ang sa January, we wanted to start the year nga strong and full force. Sang nabal an namon nga madayon, we really encourage the kids to join as we know they are ready because of our continuous training,” he added.

The Iloilo MVP coach also thanked all who contributed to the success of everyone.

“Since this is the first competition of the year, we want to expose most of our jins, especially those newcomers. The result of this Dinagyang competition is because of the hardwork of not just our coaches but also parents and black belts nga nag help train. Thank you gid sa tanan and sa kay Lord for giving us this early blessing,” he disclosed.IMT Sports