Taekwondo jins from Bravehearts Abanao gym have emerged winners in the 2nd Baguio Open Taekwondo Championships at the Baguio Convention Center on Oct. 1.
TKD jins from Bravehearts (BH) Abanao garnered a total of 40 gold, 19 silver, and 17 bronze medals making them the overall winner from among the 18 teams that joined the tournament.
Bravehearts Arcadian branch in La Trinidad, Benguet placed second with 34-26-21 medals while Philko Taekwondo from Olongapo City bagged 25-21-22 bronze medals for a third place finish.
Settling on fourth place is Kings TKD Training Center of Tuguegarao with 22-32-18 medals while Nueva Vizcaya TKD Finals placed fifth with a 14-24-20 medals
BH Abanao showed supremacy in the team poomsae with nine gold medals courtesy of Jaren Mana-a, Jannah Mae Sokoken, and Eloisa Mae Oliva in taegeuk 1; Kaira Velo, Jamie Requillo, and Bona Stella Rivera in taegeuk 5; and Khyla Guinto, Michaelie Montes, and Xyla Alacyang in taegeuk 7 and koryo.
BH Arcadian jins struck the most medal tally wins in the individual poomsae, 19-17-13, led by gold medalists Keitaro Rivera, Jaycinth Kidsolan, Giana Esiong, John Cartney Domingo, Gian Khyle Alonzo, Kristauf Bosaing, Yuri Glenn Bacani, Zialyn Mae Solano, Maja Macabali, Josie Ann Kidpalos, Monina Diane Carmelo, Liam David Tacio, Hanna Mangiga, Dion Carmelo, Duvain Bacayan, Xian Eusebio, Wayne Eusebio, and Trisha Lobbonan.
Philko TKD, meanwhile, ruled the 2020 kyorugi with eight gold, seven silver, and seven bronze medals.
The team was led by gold medalists Damon Mathew Tapp, James Russel Sonido, Johnjay Benette Obien, Anshel Nathan Adan, Glenn Bidaure, Aizen Ordilias, Ma. Athalea Espedido, and Pearl Mesias.
The event, organized by the Samahang Taekwondo ng Pilipinas led by Danrey Velo in partnership with the city government of Baguio City, was part of the city’s 113th Charter Day celebration. – Ofelia C. Empian
