BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Members of Negros Taekwondo Union – Tigers New Gen captured six medals (three golds and three silvers) in the 45th Smart/MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Championship held recently at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Josh Montesino captured his first-ever national competition medal when he captured a gold in the grade school boys light-heavyweight category after defeating all of his opponents.
Just like Montesino, Negrense taekwondo jin Fiel Delas Alas also bagged his first-ever national gold medal after dominating his opponents in the grade school boys heavyweight category.
Derk Guinson took home NTU-Tigers New Gen’s third gold when he topped the cadet light-heavyweight category after edging all of his four opponents in the said weight division.
Capturing the silver medals for the squad were Mariane Cabalhin in the girls finweight category, Alexandros Cabalhin in the cadet male flyweight event and Rebecca Scott in cadet lightweight category.
“This is a great achievement for Negros Taekwondo Union-Tigers New Gen as all of our six players captured a medal each. We thank the NTU Family for their support,” the squad said.
Meanwhile, Zarraga Taekwondo Dojang-Iloilo also made their presence felt in the tournament held last September 3 and 4 with three medals—one gold and two silvers.
The Iloilo-based taekwondo stable opened the competition with two silver medals courtesy of Nheza Pauline Gonzales and Djezelree Clavel, both in the Kyorugi event.
The Angelo Herradura Osayda-mentored Ilonggo jins capped off with a gold medal finish from Mary Noelle Alim, a standout of Central Philippine University Golden Lions.
Two more taekwondo jins from Zarraga participated in the event in Lorenzo Caine Morales Anota and Imar Pinuela of University of San Agustin but both only reached the elimination round./PN
