Smart/MVPSF taekwondo draws record 2,000 jins

MANILA, Philippines – Around 2,000 athletes will vie for honors in the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Championships slated on July 23-24 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

According to organizing committee chairman Grand Master Sung Chon Hong, participants will come from PTA chapters from 12 regions, ARMM, CAR, CARAGA and NCR as well as those from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

Male and female fighters in the advance and novice categories in the senior, junior, cadet and gradeschool divisions will be featured in the two-day event sponsored by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Tourism Promotion Board Philippines and Marriott Hotel Manila.

Some of the participating teams are Central Gymnasium, De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde, Ateneo, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, University of the East, Far Eastern University, LSGH, San Beda College, DPS, DLSZ, Las Piñas, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army.

Members of the Philippine team will also see action for their respective mother squads.

The tournament will utilize the sport’s officiating system – PSS (Protective Scoring System), ESS (Electronic Scoring System) and Daedo PSS, IVR (Instant Video Review) – to eliminate human error and ensure fair results.

Elimination will start at 9 a.m. on July 23 but the opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. with the Philippine demonstration team displaying its wares.