Lady jins clash for honors in Smart taekwondo

MANILA, Philippines - Around 500 jins, including members of the national pool, are expected to vie for honors in the 2010 Smart all-women’s taekwondo championships Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“This is a good opportunity for our aspiring female athletes to show the various techniques and styles they have learned so far in the sport,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado.

Taekwondo is one of the fastest growing contact sports in the country. It has in fact provided the Philippines countless medals in prestigious international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian and World Championships and the Asian Games.

According to organizing committee chair Sung Chon Hong, participants will come from PTA affiliates and branches all over Metro Manila and the provinces including the military commands like the Navy, Army, Air Force, Philippine National Police, PNPA and PMA.

Competition will be conducted in three categories, namely, senior women, junior women and grade school girls.

“The event is part of the PTA’s commitment to the development of sports. It also supports the government’s grassroots program,” said Hong.

The one-day tournament is supported by Smart Communications Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Philippine Sports Commission and Milo.

Action starts at 9 a.m.