NEGRENSE taekwondo jin Miguel Zapata got the nod to join the Philippine taekwondo team that will compete overseas later this year.
Zapata, who is a standout of Negros Taekwondo Union-Tigers New Gen, will be competing in the Asian Cadet Taekwondo Championship in Jordan and World Cadet Taekwondo Championships in Uzbekistan.
The national team inclusion came as a surprise for Zapata as his 33-kilogram Cadet weight class was initially not included in the categories the Philippine team will participate on.
But the Philippine Taekwondo Association had a change of heart after Zapata made a strong showing and bagged a gold medal in the 14th ASEAN Taekwondo Federation Championship earlier this month at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
“I am thankful to coach Dindo Simpao for believing in me and giving me another chance,” he said. “I am happy to become part of the national taekwondo team.”/PN
