Phl taekwondo bets win 8 medals in Korea Open

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine taekwondo team, carrying the colors of Smart/MVP Sports Foundation, displayed another splendid international performance by bagging eight medals, topped by three golds, in the recent Chuncheon Korea Open championships in Chuncheon City.

The Filipinos won three golds and two bronzes in poomsae (forms) and two silvers and one bronze in kyorugi (free sparring) against tough athletes from 44 countries led by Korea, Iran, China, Russia, the United States, Mexico, Greece, Japan and France.

The Filipino poomsae medalists are Darius Venerable (gold in freestyle male individual event), Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Raphael Enrico Mella and Patrick King Perez (gold in authorized male team), Rinna Babanto, Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Aidaine Krishia Laxa, gold in authorized female team), Janna Dominique Oliva (bronze in freestyle female individual) and Jeordan Dominguez, Darius Venerable, Marvin Mori, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo and Janna Dominique Oliva (bronze in freestyle mixed team).

The Phl medalists in free sparring are Kurt Pajuelas (silver) and Veronica Garces (silver) and Dex Ian Chavez (bronze).

The Filipinos’ trip were sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.