1,000 jins in SMART age-group tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s young and upcoming jins will display their wares on Nov. 17-18 when they vie for honors in the 2012 SMART National Age-Group Taekwondo Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“This event gives our aspiring fighters, some as young as four years old, the chance to test what they have learned so far,” says Organizing Committee chair Sung Chon Hong.

Sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, SMART Communications, MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, Meralco, TV5 and Milo, the tournament starts the sport’s lovers at a young age and contributes to the government’s grassroots program.

Around 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in two divisions – juniors (men and ladies aged 14 to 16 years old) and gradeschool (boys and girls 13 years old and below).

Parents interested to see their children learn the sport at a young age will definitely enjoy watching this tournament, which starts at 9 a.m.

The age-group competition also prepares young jins for important future and international tournaments.

Only recently, Filipino bets produced an explosive showing in the Korean Open international championships by winning five gold, seven silver and 14 bronze medals mostly in kyorugi (sparring).

“By joining tournaments like the age-group, our boys and girls get to hone their skills early,” said Hong, who is also the Philippine Taekwondo Association’s vice president.