Harvesting seven gold, seven silver, and seven bronze medals, Iloilo Mark V. Pinggol (MVP) Taekwondo gym made their presence felt in the national arena.
The Denmark Pinggol-mentored jins got 21 medals in the 2022 SMART/MVPSF National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships held in Ayala Malls, Manila Bay.
After more than two years of not competing in person, the Home of the Young Champions made waves in the competition organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA).
Bannering the team for gold medal finishes were Nathan Lee Dedal, Amber Gale Abellar, Nieka Thalia Guevara, Nathan Lee Abellar, Anthony Benedict Planta, Alicia Sophia Gutierrez, and Phil Caleb Regalado.
Silver medals were snatched by Elisha Miela Paradero, Ryza Chanel Tabucuran, Princez Elaiza Doseo, Viene Marie Dulaca, Lindsy Lorraine Degayo, Jenella Ashley Tionko, Sirch Einreb Damaolao, Margarette Gem Obsequio, Planta, Paradero, and Regalado.
“Justin’s score was a little short (.007) to make it to the finals. Top 4 lang ginkuha sa iya category. He ranked 5th. Blackbelt competition was tough because you get to compete with the national team jins. He got a good score of 7.5 for his first cadet blackbelt face-to-face competition.
We’re very happy for the confidence he showed while on the mat, ” shared Apura’s mother, Love.
For Jenella, she said winning in the national tournament was great. She was a little bit nervous because her opponents were strong and powerful but with eagerness and perseverance she was able to get the bronze medal in individual category and her team category got the silver medal.
“I am looking forward in my next competition to be stronger and fiercer. The learnings I got from this competition is that, one must have a strong heart and determination. The will to go on, for you will be tested several times. Luck also is a factor, everyone is equally talented. If you’re unlucky and do not qualify, you need to hold your ground, exit the matting with confidence and move forward.
Princess Hannah Mia Cruz, Arvin Kirk Derayunan, Marian Evanne Doseo, Julianna Martha Uy, Damaolao, and Tabucuran also took home the bronze medals.
Making it as finalists were Marian Evanne Doseo, Princez Elaiza Doseo, Christine Jade Rocessvalles, Geon Ivan Dulaca, Niesha Kariz Pequierda, and Cyd Edryc Esmaña. Semifinalists in their respective categories are Xabriel Zia Gebucion, Alyanah Julienne Tionko, and Justin Adrian Apura.
“Being selected to be one of the delegates of MVP gym to perform and compete in the national tournament is a privilege with great pride. I’ve given the chance to represent our gym and our city, Iloilo City, and for that alone I am a winner already. Exiting on the early stage of the competition under the red cadet female category and reaching semifinals only is somewhat heartbreaking. I may not have the medal to show that I’m a winner, but I brought with me a lot of learnings, realization, and experience that am sure will make me to comeback stronger on future tournaments,” shared Alyanah.
The Iloilo MVP had a productive tournament after they bagged the overall title in the grade school category.
“As a mom of two nga nagjoin sa national event my feeling was mixed emotions at first syempre first time nila ni makatry sa national competition face to face pa. Very happy gd sa first result nga nakakuha ang team nila Ashley, Lamlam and Sirhc sang silver from 16 contenders. Then sang pagkahapon ang event nila is individual nagkontrahanay sila nga mag-utod sa cadet category which landed her Ate sa semifinals and Ashley got bronze. Super proud gid kami sang Papa nila sang ila mga nakuha kag naachieved. We know this is the first of many competitions pa. Ang experience sa national iba gid. With the big help sang amon coaches Sir Mark and Coach Jilyn nakita kag na feel gid namon kung ano pagtrain kag pagpush nila sa amon kabataan, ” narrated by Zen, Tionkos’ mother.IMT Sports
