MANILA, Philippines - Sixty-seven well-prepared athletes will carry the colors of the Meralco/MVP Sports Foundation National Team in the 12th ASEAN Taekwondo Federation championships on April 23-28 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Leading the team are senior kyorugi (free sparring) fighters Jenar Torillos, Washer Rasad, Enrique Edgardo Mora, Lorenz Chavez, Eddtone Bobb Lumasac (men) and Irene Therese Bermejo, Ronnielette Balancio, Shiryl Badol, Camille Anne Bonje and Clouie Bolinas (women).
Also on the team are 20 junior men and women in (free sparring), 15 Cadet boys and girls (free sparring) and 20 participants in poomsae (forms).
Ten officials, led by team head Tem Igor Mella, complete the national delegation.
The other officials are John Paul Lizardo, senior men’s coach; Dindo Simpao, junior men’s coach; Napoleon Dagdagan Jr., women’s coach; Alvin Taraya, Cadet boys’ coach; Sax Alberto Morfe, Cadet girls’ coach; Jean Pierre Sabido, poomsae men’s coach; Rani Ann Ortega, poomsae women’s coach; and Jaime Robianes and Jose Florante Santiago, international referees.
The ASEAN competition serves as a tune up for the Filipinos’ preparation for the Asian Junior Championships in Taipei next month and the much-awaited Southeast Asian Games on June 5-16, 2015 in Singapore.
Aside from the Philippines, 10 other countries – including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar – are also vying in the ASEAN championships.
Filipino fighters have always been considered among the top contenders in various international taekwondo competitions.