Smart/Phl jins compete in Asian tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran internationalist John Paul Lizardo leads 50 other male and female Filipino athletes who will vie for honors in the 2012 Asian Taekwondo Championships on May 4-12 in Hochiminh City, Vietnam.

Called the SMART squad, the Filipinos are among the top contenders in the event which will feature competition in senior and junior kyorugi (sparring) and senior and junior poomsae (forms).

Eleven officials will also accompany the SMART team, whose participation serves as preparation for the upcoming World University Taekwondo Championships next month in Pocheon , Korea and the World Cup tournament in Santa Cruz , Aruba in November this year.

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

In addition to pin weight Lizardo, the other members of the delegation are:

Kyorugi (senior men) – Paul Romero, bantam; Gershon Bautista, feather; Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison, light; Christian Al dela Cruz, welter; Kristopher Robert Uy, middle; (senior women) – Leigh Anne Nuguid, fin; Pauline Louise Lopez, fly; Jade Zafra, feather; Maria Camille Manalo, light; Jane Rafaelle Narra, welter; Kirstie Elaine Alora, middle; (junior men) – Tristan Jean Avelino, fin; Rainier Louis Sanchez, fly; Rhayzor Jurrine Catres, bantam; Francis Aaron Agojo, feather; Keno Anthony Mendoza, light; Benjamin Keith Sembrano, welter; Joaquin Mendoza Jr., light middle; Joel Manuel Alejandro, middle; Jefferson Ong, light heavy; (junior women) – Inna Izabella Dionisio, fin; Jhoana Lyde Razon, fly; Elyzia Robin Baluyot, bantam; Nicole Abigail Cham, feather; Suzzane Glenn Caslangen, light; Bianca Maurice Go, welter; Melanie Hope Douglas, light welter; Patricia Francesca Gonzalez, middle; Brighty Rio Marie Salazar, light heavy; Paola Karolina Amon, heavy.

Poomsae (senior men and women) – 13 players; (junior men and women) – 7 players.

Officials – Anna Dominique Coseteng, head of team, junior division; Victor Emmanuel Veneracion, head of team, senior division; Coaches: Dindo Simpao, senior; Roberto Cruz, junior men; Dax Alberto Morfe, junior women; Napoleon Dagdagan Jr., trainer; Mr. Jeong Tae Seong and Joel Lacsamana, Poomsae coaches; Stephen Fernandez, international referee, kyorugi and poomsae; Jesus Morales III, international referee, kyorugi; and Tem Igor Mella, international referee, poomsae.