Smart nat’l youth taekwondo slated

MANILA, Philippines - The 2013 Smart National Age Group Taekwondo Championships will be held this weekend with 1,500 athletes expected to vie for top honors in various divisions at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The field includes jins as young as four years old with competitions to be conducted in three divisions, including junior (men and women), cadet (boys and girls) and grade school (boys and girls).

Aspirants aged 15 to 17 will compete in the junior group, 12 to 14 in the cadet division and 11 years old and below in the grade school bracket.

The two-day event is organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and supported by Smart Communications Inc., MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, TV5, Meralco and Philippine Sports Commission.

Organizing committee chairman and PTA CEO Sung Chon Hong expects the early introduction of youngsters into sport would boost the country’s grassroots development program especially in taekwondo which has consistently produced medals in international competitions like the world championships, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games and Asian University Championships.

Only recently, the Smart/National Poomsae team won three gold, two silver and one bronze medals in the eighth world championships in Bali, Indonesia while the Smart/National Kyorugi (free sparring) squad garnered two gold, six silver and four bronze medals in the Asian University championships in Korea.

The Filipinos’ continuing success can be credited to the athletes’ determination and hard work and the program initiated by PTA and its supporters.

Parents are encouraged to enroll their children in taekwondo at a young age. They are also invited to watch the two-day tournament which starts at 9 a.m.  

The opening ceremony at 1 p.m. on Nov. 17 will be highlighted by a performance from the Philippine Taekwondo Demonstration Team.