General Santos jin lands 3rd gold in taekwondo

TAGUM, Davao del Norte, Philippines — General Santos City taekwondo jin Paul Anthony Rodriguez claimed another gold medal yesterday and became the first triple-gold winner in the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy at the Gaisano Mall here.

Rodriguez, 13, teamed up with Benedict Opao and Ezekiel Limpin in a winning performance in the junior poomsae division in taekwondo.

The Grade 7 student from Dadiangas earlier copped the individual gold and another in partnership with Aleya Rayzel Labao.

He said he’s determined to win with his mission to spread the true essence of playing the sport.

The sport of taekwondo has been put in a bad light due to a bullying incident involving a young practicioner from Ateneo de Manila a couple of months ago.

I want everyone to know that taekwondo is for self-defense,” said Rodriguez, who is a double-gold medal winner in last year’s National Batang Pinoy and a silver medalist in the Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur last year.

“Not all who win taekwondo are bullies,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Zamboanga basketball team forfeited its game against Davao City after the former was sent home by its officials for alleged bullying.

The organizing Philippine Sports Commission technical officials, however, said they were no reports concerning the matter.

Before the weeklong event for in and out-of-school youth aged 15 years old and below even started, PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez had insisted the games serve as a vehicle to rear the participants into peace-loving citizens.

So far, Rodriguez and the vast majority of the participating athletes are living up to expectations.

Snaring the spotlight with Rodriguez was Tacurong City’s Princess Sheryl Valdez, who came through with four golds in individual non-traditional 1 weapon, team non-traditional open weapon, individual non-traditional 2 weapon and team traditional open weapon.