Iloilo taekwondo jins net golds at Batang Pinoy opening

TAEKWONDO jins from Iloilo City raked in gold medals at the start of the 2018 Batang Pinoy National Finals on Monday in Baguio City.

Cindy Joy Diasnes took home two gold medals in the juniors poomsae event held Monday morning at the University of Baguio.

A Grade 10 student of Central Philippine University, Diasnes first topped individual poomsae, where fellow Ilongga Sophia Marie Tungala clinched the silver medal.

Diasnes, who was recently chosen to be part of the Philippine taekwondo team, then teamed up with Tungala and Kershel Kail Silava and bagged gold in team juniors poomsae.

Head coach Flora Navales said she was glad her fighters were able to maintain their focus in the competition despite the ordeal they encountered due to typhoon Ompong.

“Hindi rin madali iyong pinagdaanan namin,” Navales said. “May times na iyong mga bata walang agahan, then doon sa billeting namin nawalan din ng kuryente and mobile signal. But good thing we are safe.”

On the other hand tracksters from Bacolod Tay Tung High School won two gold medals at the start of athletics Monday at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.

Antonette Jay Aguillon topped the girls 100m dash while schoolmate Ara Rahbea Delotavo ruled the 100m hurdles.

“Nagbunga po iyong hard work ko,” Aguillon told this writer after the match. “Although I will still try to improve po and also win more medals dahil may upcoming event pa ako.”

Western Visayas-based volleyball squads also had a strong start. Tay Tung scored two early wins in the girls category while Antique won its opening assignment as well.

Led by Shane Carmona and Alyssa Bertolano, Tay Tung made a quick work of the Tagum squad (25-12, 25-14) and the Baguio selection (25-10, 25-15) at the University of Cordilleras.

The Antique team, led by Jboy Tamba, Charles Sealguil and Edimor Alamis, cruised to a 25-21, 25-23 victory over Baguio City at the Casiaco Recoletos Gymnasium./PN