TAEWONDO jins from Western Visayas were working double time as they aim for an impressive showing at the 2018 Palarong Pambansa this month in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Their head coach, Floramie Navales, said they hope to keep in step with early favorites like the National Capital Region and Central Luzon (Region 4).
“We started training on March 6,” she said. “It was nonstop because, aside from Palarong Pambansa, our taekwondo jins are also competing in regional and national tournaments under the Philippine Taekwondo Association.”
Determined to dominate the national games, the teams scheduled twice-a-day practices for its kyorugi and poomsae athletes, said Navales.
“Our athletes train four to six hours every day for the elite level … to make sure they will be at their best in the Palaro and for them to reach their full potential as athletes,” she said.
Part of the Western Visayas taekwondo team were Adriano Horlador III, Cindy Joy Diasnes, John Patrick Palonpon, and Jake Christian Mamigo of Central Philippine University, and Elisha Venice Aguilar, Xyrus Andrie Desierto and Niesha Kariz Pequierda of Ateneo de Iloilo.
Angelie Marie Perillo and Shaianne Belle Hojilla of Colegio de San Jose, Angela Bermejo of St. Robert’s International Academy, and Joshua Cachero of St. Catherine Parochial School were also in the lineup.
Navales (secondary boys), Paul John Espora (elementary girls) and Jennelyn Cajolo (chaperone elementary girls) composed the coaching staff while Alfie Diasnes (poomsae) and Jojo Castro (kyorugi) were the trainers./PN
