2,500 fighters vie in national taekwondo

MANILA, Philippines — Around 2,500 fighters are expected to vie for honors in the Philippine Taekwondo Association’s biggest annual event – the 43rd SMART/MVP Sports Foundation national championships – on July 20-21 at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

The competition will feature advance and novice campaigners in eight divisions namely senior, junior, cadet and gradeschool both for male and female or the equivalent of 400 teams from 12 PTA chapters in different regions together with all AFP branches and the PNP.

Each team in the Olympic-style event will be composed of five players and two alternates. Members of the Philippine squad will also see action for their respective home teams.

The tournament will utilize PTA’s officiating system – PSS (Electronic Scoring System), Daedo and KPNP and IVR (Instant Video Replay) to eliminate human error.

Among the participating teams are Central Gymnasium, DLSU, St. Benilde, Ateneo, UST, UP, UE, FEU, La Salle-Greenhills, San Beda College, UP Diliman, Diliman Preparatory School, De La Salle-Zobel, Arellano, Las Piñas, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Baguio, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army and PNP.

Elimination bouts will start at 9 a.m. on July 20 while the opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on July 21, with the Philippine Demonstration Team showing its wares.

Martial arts enthusiasts and sports aficionados, especially children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch the event sponsored by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.