CEBU, Philippines – Cebuana Rinna Babanto contributed two bronze medals for Team Philippines in the 9th WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in Aguascalietes, Mexico yesterday.
Babanto, the lone junior team member included in the line-up won the bronze in the under-17 freestyle and in the recognized poomsae action.
This is the first time for Babanto to compete solo in the WTPC. Babanto along with fellow Cebuana Mikeala Calamba and Manila’s Jocel Ley Nonobia won gold in the team competition last year.
Babanto who is now a freshman at De La Salle University in Manila was able to proudly wave the country’s flag after her turn of competition
Earlier, Cebuano playing coach Glenn Lava got two gold medals through the men’s team for over 30 years-old entries and the mixed team event.
“Two gold and two bronze medals in the World Taekwondo Championships. I remember when we were contented with just one bronze in the National Championships and this was just a few years back. We've come a long way. This is beyond our wildest dreams,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association’s regional chairman Tony del Prado.
Del Prado, last year’s SAC-SMC All-Cebu Sports Awards Sportsman of the Year also gives due credits to the members of the Cebu Taekwondo Association for supporting their vision and trusting the regional leadership. (FREEMAN)