14 promising jins vie in world junior tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen upcoming Filipino jins – six male and eight female – will vie for honors in the 2012 World Junior Taekwondo Championships set on April 4-8 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Called the SMART team, the Filipinos are considered among the top contenders in a field of 75 to 100 countries competing in the prestigious event.

Carrying the SMART-Philippine colors are:

Male – Aaron James Galita, finweight; Mathew Michael Padilla, flyweight; Francis Aaron Agojo, featherweight; Keno Anthony Mendoza, lightweight; Benjamin Keith Sembrano, welterweight; and Joel Manuel Alejandro, light middle.

Female – Inna Izabella Dionisio, finweight; Colleen Heria, flyweight; Korina Paladin, bantamweight; Pauline Louise Lopez, featherweight; Suzzane Glehn Caslangen, lightweight; Bianca Go, welterweight; Melanie Hope Douglas, light middle; and Patricia Francesca Gonzalez, middle.

“This competition gives our athletes the opportunity to gain more exposure and experience,” says Philippine Taekwondo Association vice president and team delegate Sung Chon Hong.  “It is also a big step in our players’ preparation for the Youth Olympic Games in China.”

The other Filipino officials are Victor Emmanuel Veneracion, head of team; coaches Roberto Cruz and Alvin Taraya and international referee Roland Campos.

The team’s trip is supported by the MVP Sports Foundation/SMART Communications Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) and Philippine Sports Commission.