350 jins vie in ASEAN championships

MANILA, Philippines — Three hundred and 50 athletes from eight countries will see action in the 14th ASEAN Taekwondo Championships on May 4-5 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

Organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association, the prestigious international event will see campaigners from Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and host Philippines vie in Kyurugi (free sparring) and Poomsae (forms).

Competition will be conducted among male and female senior, junior and cadet fighters in free sparring and individual, pair and team events in Poomsae starting on May 4.

Kris Wiluan, president of the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation, will be the special guest during the opening ceremony at 12 noon.  Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez has also been invited to grace the opening rites along with other top PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee and MVP Sports Foundation officials.

The two-day event is sanctioned by the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation and supported by MVPSF, Smart, PSC, POC, Meralco, PLDT, SM Mall of Asia and Milo.

The Filipinos, who have always managed to perform well in international championships, hope to put up an impressive showing before their countrymen.