MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-five Filipino athletes will vie for honors in the 2017 Asian Cadet Kyorugi (free sparring) and Poomsae Taekwondo Championships on June 6-8 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Seven males and seven females will carry Meralco/MVP Sports Foundation colors in free sparring while five males and six females will banner PLDT Home Ultera/MVP SF in poomsae.
The participants, as announced by the Philippine Taekwondo Association, are:
Kyorugi, male – Lex Joshua Provido (-33 kg), Mico Gabriel Chua (-37 kg), Raphael Ongkiko (-41 kg), Ted David Mangussad (-45 kg), Carl David Catabay (-49 kg), Richard Christopher Cajulis (-53 kg) and Dane Shaun Enjealo Subaste (-57 kg); female – Dyanne Maries Refuerzo (-33 kg), Arianne Espida (-37 kg), Geriane Kendall Therese Pineda (-41 kg), Mary Angeline Alcantara (-44 kg), Raven Allyson Pablo (-47 kg), Daniella Patrice Malmis (-51 kg) and Maria Carmella Santos (-55 kg).
Poomsae (forms), male – Jon Alexander Llenes, Johann Abelard Concepcion, James Oranza, Harley San Buenaventura and Dennis Francis Arquero; female – Alyssa Lou Llenes, Xaphrine Pauhe Rivera, Leigh Andee Rodriguez, Jamiel Hannah Agaloos, Bianca Mae de Leon and Laeia Simoune Soria.
Igor Mella is the head of the team, while the coaches are Alvin Taraya and Brix Darmo Ramos for kyorugi and Rani Ann Ortega for poomsae and Pauline Gina Guillermo, international referee.
The Philippine bets, supported by Smart Communications Inc., PLDT, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee, are always considered among the top contenders in prestigious international events.
The Philippines and 34 other countries like Korea, Iran, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Thailand, are among the participants in the Asian Cadet championships.