Crack jinns vie in Phnom Penh

MANILA, Philippines - Bannered by 37 kyorugi (sparring) and poomsae (forms) athletes, the Smart taekwondo team will vie for honors in the 10th ASEAN Taekwondo Federation (ATF) championships set April 6-10 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“We are optimistic that our athletes will perform well in this prestigious competition,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado.

Team delegation head Sung Chon Hong echoed Aventajado’s statement, saying “the Philippines has always been considered among the top contenders” in the ASEAN tournament.

Eleven countries, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, are also competing in the event, which serves as part of the team’s preparation for the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia this November.

The Smart team entries in kyorugi follow:

Senior men - Julian Cordero, fin; Devy John Singson, fly; Elijah Marcelino, bantam; Gershon Bautista, feather; Gerry del Rosario, light; Ernest John Mendoza, welter; and Jose Anthony Soriano, middle.

Senior women - Mary Anjelay Pelaez, fin; Ma. Isabella Mora, fly; Maria Cecilia Viray, bantam; Jean Claudette Rosales, feather; Izel Carmel Masungsong, light; Charlene Casia, welter; and Jony Ann Reyes, middle.

Male junior team - Tristan Avelino, fin; Aaron Agojo, fly; Paolo Luis Jazmines, bantam; Keno Anthony Mendoza, feather; Joaquin Mendoza, Juan Paolo Cipriano, light; Juan Miguel Ramos, welter; Joel Manuel Alejandro, light middle; and Guilliano de Dios, middle.

Female junior team - Inna Izabella Dionisio, fin; Elyzia Robin Baluyot, fly; Leigh Anne Nuguid, bantam; Charizza Camelle Alombro, feather; Apriel May Solimen, light; Patricia Francesca Gonzalez, welter; and Bianca Maurice Go, light middle.

The poomsae team entries follow:

Vidal Marvin Gabriel, individual junior male; Galilee Tinaya, individual senior male; Shaneen Ched Sia, individual junior female; Frances Beatrice Alarilla, individual senior female; Shaneen Ched Sia, Vidal Martin Gabriel, pair poomsae; and Glenn Lava, Dustion Jacob Mella and Michael Jonathan Medina, team poomsea.

Aside from Hong, the other team officials are Raul Samson, manager; Dindo Simpao, male senior team coach; Loraine Lorelei Catalan, female senior team coach; Dax Alberto Morfe, junior team coach; Jean Piere Sabido, poomsae team coach; Chang Woo Lee and Pauline Gina Guillermo, referees kyorugi; and Tem Igor Mella, referee poomsae.