2,000 bets vie in inter-school taekwondo

MANILA, Philippines — Around 2,000 athletes are expected to see action in the 2018 SMART/MVP Sorts Foundation National Inter-School taekwondo Championships set Sept. 29-30 at the Rizal Memorial Basketball Stadium.

Competition will be conducted in kyorugi (free sparring) for male and female Novice and Advance athletes in the seniors, juniors, cadet and gradeschool categories and poomsae (forms) for colored and blackbelt students in individual, pair and team events.

Poomsae is performed by following a systematic time of movement in consecutive sequence against an imaginary opponent/s.  The athlete uses hands, feet and interconnected techniques like blocking, punching, striking, thrusting and kicking.  Constant poomsae training helps improve flexibility and control in breathing, balance, power, eye focus and mental discipline.

All schools affiliated with Philippine Taekwondo Association will participate.  Among these are Ateneo, UST, St. Paul Pasig, Diliman Preparatory School, Mary Hill School, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Montessori Integrated School, De La Salle University, University of the East, National University, Philippine Science High, School of Holy Spirit, UP Diliman, DLSU Araneta, Pamantasang Lungsod ng Valenzuela and other schools in Visayas and Mindanao Regions.

Competition will start at 9 a.m.  Martial arts enthusiasts and sports fans, specially children interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch the two-day tourney.