Angela Joy Marie Bermejo (in red armor) solidly kicks her opponent during the Kyorugi match. (Photo by Mary Faeldan)
Taekwondo jins from Mark V. Pinggol (MVP) Iloilo Taekwondo Gym made an emphatic performance in the international arena as they bagged 14 gold, eight silver, and 12 bronze medals in the 9th Tirak Taekwondo International Championships in Thailand.
With over 1,500 players from Asia, Russia, Brazil and Mexico, the Ilonggo team was named overall champion in Poomsae, first runner-up in Kyorugi, Most Valuable Delegation award and Trophy of Participation.
Miagao pride and St. Robert’s International Academy (SRIA) star Angela Joy Marie Bermejo wowed the crowd after winning two gold medals in the competition. She also won the bronze in individual and silver in mixed pair.
In the Poomsae category, Ateneo de IIoilo’s Cyd Edryc Esmaña and Niesha Kariz Pequierda both received gold in individual and the mixed pair category.
“As parents, what I can say is always support your child’s passion be it in sports or anything they love most. They have to experience what’s life has to offer, do not compare yourself to anyone but be a better version of yourself, always trust God’s plan and be thankful,” shared Cyd’s mother, Cyril.
Ma. Wilmena Popelo and Julianna Martha Uy also won gold in the individual category, while Joshua Cachero clinched the silver in individual and gold in mixed pair.
Xyrus Andrei Desierto bagged the bronze in individual and silver in mixed pair while Sophia Grace Go and Clyde Anthony Chua got bronze in both the individual and the mixed pair. Elisha Mae Paradero, Roivic John Decafe, Neljane Wentworth Belgira, and Conrad Joseph Pido snatched the bronze medals in the individual category, while Josh Karl Macahilig paired with Sheine de Asis to win the silver in the mixed pair.
In the Kyurogi category, Bermejo clinched the gold in flyweight division and the special match, Belgira won the gold in the open weight category and silver during the special match, while Paradero took home the silver in open category and gold in yellow belt category.
Pido captured the gold in light weight and silver during the special match, while Decafe and de Asis got the gold. Uy, Cachero, and Go recieved the silver, while Macahilig and Desierto claimed the bronze.
Head coach Denmark Pinggol said he felt so blessed with the results of the competition where the first ever Taekwondo team from Iloilo City went home with the overall trophy in Poomsae and first runner-up trophy in Kyorugi from International competition.
“This is a memorable overall champion trophy for us, since it is considered as the highest award given by the Queen of Thailand. As MVP coach, I am very proud that we represented our City well during the event. We would like to share this victory first to our God, to ever hardworking MVP coaches, Christer John Gersanib, Melcris Villarin, and Diego Garcia. Next to Iloilo City especially to Rudiver Jungco Sr., head of Iloilo Sports Office for allowing us to represent our City and to all our fellow Ilonggos,” he added.IMT
