800 jins compete in Manila Open

MANILA, Philippines - Around 800 taekwondo athletes will see action in the 2009 Smart/Petron Manila Open championships on March 8 at the Rizal Memorial coliseum.

According to Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado, competition will be conducted in six divisions, including grade school where the big bulk of contestants (boys and girls) come from.

Senior and junior jins will also vie for honors in the novice and advance classes.

Among the schools and clubs which will be represented in the tourney sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Smart, PLDT, Petron, Milo and Adidas are PTA Central Gym, Ateneo, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, La Salle Greenhills, College of St. Benilde, University of the East, Far Eastern University, Letran, San Beda, Manila YMCA, Philippine Christian University, Holy Spirit and Assumption College.