An Ilongga athlete displayed great atheticism in the international stage after winning medals in the recent taekwondo tournaments in USA.
Beatriz Karina Belicena of Jaro, Iloilo City pulled off a stunner as she bagged two gold medals in the Chicago Open Taekwondo Championships held in Ilinois, Chicago USA last month.
Belicena snatched the gold medal in Poomsae Event Senior 1 division Female before pocketing another gold in the Mixed Pair Poomsae Over 30 division. She was also awarded as Best Player for Female division.
To recall, Belicena, who is also an Ilongga coach, won the gold medal in the Kimunyong International Taekwondo Championships held in Tacoma, Washington USA in Sept. She ruled the Poomsae for Senior 1 Female Division.
In August, she made waves after dominating the California Kukkiwon Hanmadang held in Sacramento, California, USA. Aside from being hailed as Best Athlete, she also received two gold medals in Individual Poomsae Female Senior 1 division and Pair Poomsae Senior Division.
US Open is one of the most anticipated tournaments, not only in the US, but in the whole world. It’s like a mini world championships and all the athletes there performed so great.
Aside from being a certified USA taekwondo coach, Belicena is also a National referee member of the World Taekwondo Masters Union, the only organization in the US that is recognized by the Kukkiwon in giving out seminars, exams, and competitions.
Belicena was born and raised in Iloilo but she currently lives abroad. She took interest in taekwondo at a young age and now teaches full time and competes from time to time.
“It’s okay to fail and cry, but at the end of the day make sure to pick yourself up and don’t be afraid to start over again. Be persistent, have some grit and don’t forget the most important thing to do is Pray,” she said.IMT
