Smart bets train with top Korean jins

MANILA, Philippines - The Smart Taekwondo National Team gets a rare chance to undergo a solid preparation for the forthcoming 16th Asian Games in China when it trains with the Korean national squad on Sept. 9-16 at the Rizal Memorial coliseum.

“This is a good opportunity for our (Smart national taekwondo) wards to improve their skills and techniques against world-class opponents,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado.

The Korean squad, composed of four officials headed by Ryoo Byung-kwan and 24 athletes, is scheduled to arrive at 11 tonight. The Koreans will fly back home on Sept. 17.

Korea is a world power in taekwondo, having produced many world and Olympic champions. PTA officials are optimistic that the local athletes’ cross-training with the Koreans will help improve their chances of winning medals in the Asian Games.

Training between the Koreans and the country’s national athletes will be held twice daily, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The training is sponsored by Smart, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Filipinos are among the top taekwondo teams in the Southeast Asian region. They have also emerged as the country’s consistent medal producers in the Asian Games and other international tournaments.