Babanto grabs gold in South Korea tikefest

CEBU, Philippines- Rinna Babanto and three other Cebuano jins made a big impact in the 2014 World Taekwondo Hanmadang at Pohang Gym in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang City, South Korea.

Babanto, who is now with De La Salle University, showed versatility and great teamwork with Nikki Oliva of the University of the Philippines and Jocel Ninobla of the University of Sto. Tomas to win the gold in the juniors team poomsae.

Although Babanto has already won gold in the World Poomsae Championships last year, she is just as ecstatic with her latest achievement that have her a different experience. Unlike in the WPC, the WTH is a festival as what “Hanmadang” in Korea means. It’s not only about poomsae in Hanmadang as it also features the other aspects of this Korean martial art.

“In Hanmadang, you have to perform many things like hand breaking, freestyle, poomsae, and long jump breaking among others that involve the real theme of taekwondo," said Babanto.

On the other hand, McAvyngyr Alob got a silver with his partner from Manila via the junior IV pair event.

Clement Tan of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Nichole Maurin of the University of San Carlos also grabbed silver in the junior III pair. (FREEMAN)