‘Best of Best’ taekwondo tourney unfolds September 4

MANILA, Philippines - Gold medal winners in the country’s national and major taekwondo events nationwide will show their skills in the 2016 SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Best of the Best championships on Sunday, Sept. 4 at SM Mall of Asia.

Only champions in national regional tournaments, including ARMM, CAR, CARAGA and the NCR, as well as UAAP, NCAA, AFP-PNP Olympics, all PTA (Philippine Taekwondo Association) competitions in Metro Manila and blackbelt organizations like Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherhood, Taekwondo Blackbelt Sorority and Philippine Taekwondo Contingent are qualified to join, according to tournament director Jesus Morales III.

Competition will be limited to four divisions in kyorugi (free sparring – senior and junior (male and female) – and free style poomsae (FSP).

FSP aims to present an exceptionally high level of taekwondo foot techniques like jumping yopchagi, 720” spinning kick, and kicking with acrobatic actions.  It will also feature creative and harmonious integration of different taekwondo techniques with appropriate music and choreography.

The tournament will utilize PSS (Protective Scoring System), ESS (Electronic Scoring System), electronic armors and socks together with IVR (Instant Video Replay) to eliminate human error and ensure accurate, fair scoring and spectator-friendly matches.

SMART Communication and PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan is the man behind the PTA’s premier event.  Pangilinan has been the patron of Philippine taekwondo and its top and upcoming jins for over a decade now.

PLDT, Meralco and TV5 are the sponsors of the day-long competition.

All martial arts enthusiasts, especially children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch the tourney, which starts at 8 a.m.