3 Cebuano jins vie for top honors in Palanca tikefest today

CEBU, Philippines - Three bemedalled Cebuano jins hope to make waves in the 5th Carlos Palanca Jr. (CPJ) National Taekwondo Championships beginning today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.

Iyan Anthony Lim, Shaneen Sia and playing coach Glenn Lava will compete in different events including the individual, pair and team. The trio has already won team gold medal in last year’s 2008 National Poomsae Competition.

Interestingly, Lim, Sia and Lava and the rest of their comrades won in the weekly finals of ABS-CBN’s Showtime held last week at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Originally, close to 20 players from Cebu qualified for the nationals but only the three were able to make it because the rest will participate in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet starting Monday in Danao City .

“There was a conflict in their schedules because most of the players will compete in the CVIRAA Meet. But I believe that the trio of Lava, Lim and Sia will be included in the top three in their respective categories. They have greater chance in the individual and pair (mix) poomsae,” said coach Raul Luna.

During the regional finals last week at the USC-North Campus gym, the RPower Taekwondo Club manned by Cebuano kick-fighters bagged the overall title with 16 golds, seven silvers and three bronzes.

“They have been practicing for this event since last year. I believe that the three will give their very best and aim high to get golds,” said Luna. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil   .   (FREEMAN NEWS)