Philippine jins bag 15 medals in Malaysia tilt

MANILA, Philippines — Carrying the colors of SMART/MVP Sports Foundation, the Philippine taekwondo squad produced a spectacular performance in the recent Asia Pacific Masters Games Championships in Penang, Malaysia by bagging 15 medals – topped by seven kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae (forms) golds.

Roderick Rivera and Ian Joseph Hernandez produced the kyorugi golds while Eulogio Rodriguez, June Ninobla, Ernesto Guzman Jr., Alileah Dulce Amor Perez and the pair of Galilee Tibaya/Vina Marie Ignacio-Rivera collected golds in poomsae.

The Filipinos came home with eight other silver and five bronze medals in the event which served as preparation for the World Masters Games Championships in Japan.

Joseph Gadiana and Renan Desaluna took silvers in kyorugi. while Joel Lacsamana, Vina Marie Ignacio-Rivera and the pair of June Ninobla/Alileah Dulce Amor Perez also grabbed silvers in poomsae.

The Filipino bronze winners were Arnold Valenzuela in kyorugi and Galilee Tinaya and Jeffry Ysmael in poomsae.

The Filipinos, who were supported in their trip by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo, outshone tough performers from 15 other countries.