Baguio’s taekwondo pride Angelica Joyce Gaw gave De La Salle University its back-to-back poomsae titles in the prestigious University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82.
The 21-year-old Gaw, who has been representing Baguio in national and international taekwondo poomsae tournaments, before she was picked by La Salle in its elite TKD squad, scored an average of 8.050 to nail the individual gold medal for La Salle.
Her score was just 0.20 ahead of Patricia Jubelag of the University of the Philippines and Denise Alicias of the National University, who scored 7.835.
Gaw also teamed up with Patrick Perez for a silver medal in the mixed pair silver to give La Salle a boost in the ongoing biggest collegiate sports league in the country.
The duo of Jerel Dalida and Jade Carno of the University of Sto. Tomas took home the gold medal in the mixed pair with a score of 8.170.
But Gaw still stole the thunder from other TKD athletes when she clinched the most coveted Most Valuable Player plum.
Last month, Gaw was a member of the Philippine Taekwondo Team that won gold in the 2019 World Taekwondo Hanmadang Championship in South Korea.
Gaw’s achievement has been recognized by the city government through a resolution of commendation passed by the city council commending her and other Baguio-born TKD athletes, who won in recent international competitions.
Two years ago, Gaw also helped power the Philippine Taekwondo Team to a gold medal performance in the Anyang World Taekwondo Hanmadang in South Korea.
Gaw is part of the all-female Philippine team that impressed judges in the taekwonchejo (taekwondo dance) besting other international teams in one of the prestigious taekwondo competitions. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 20, 2024
