Calamba shines, grabs gold in world tikefest

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuana jin Mikeala ‘Kokoy’ Calamba proved that her victory last year was no fluke as she once again won the gold medal in the 2013 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships the other day in Bali, Indonesia.

The 15-year-old Calamba showed grace under pressure to grab the gold medal in the individual freestyle poomsae or forms in taekwondo.

Calamba, a student of University of San Carlos (USC) posted a 7.76 under the electronic scoring of the event, way up ahead of China's Yu Han Ji with 7.58, while Vietnam's Thi Thuy Dung Ngo settled for the bronze with 7.44.

Calamba truly lived up to what was expected of her being the 'Athlete of the Year" during the 31st Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) awards.

Calamba was part of the Phl women’s team that won silver medal in the World Taekwondo Hanmadang Championships held at the Gangnam-gu in Seoul, South Korea. She also bagged silver in the 7th Korea Open on top of reaping several golds in national tournaments last year.

Calamba together with Abellana National School’s Rinna Banatoin and Manila’s Jocel Ley Nonobla also delivered the gold in the team competition's under-17 class.

So far, the PHL squad has two golds and silver. The silver came from Calamba's partner Jean Pierre Sabido in the freestyle. (FREEMAN)