MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-nine Filipino taekwondo athletes vie for international honors when they compete in the 2019 Asian Open Championships this week in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Carrying the colors of Smart/MVP Sports Foundation, 17 of the Filipinos will vie in kyorugi (free sparring) while 12 will compete in poomsae (forms).
Four coaches – Carlos Jose Padilla V, Christian Al dela Cruz and Paul Romero {free sparring} and Rani Ann Ortega (forms) – will guide the Phl athletes as they pit their skills against tough rivals from 34 other countries such as Korea, China, Iran, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
The Filipino entries in kyorugi are: male – Kurt Barbosa (-54kg), Dex Ian Chavez (-58kg), Kurt Pajuelas (-63kg), Arven Alcantara (-68kg), Dave Cea (-74kg), Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-80kg), Israel Cesar Cantos (-87kg), and Kristopher Robert Uy (+87kg); female – Veronica Garces (-46kg), Rheza Aragon (-49kg), Rhezie Aragon (-53kg), Pauline Louie Lopez (-57kg), Realis Tabiando (-62kg), Darlene Mae Arpon (-67kg), Laila Delo (-73kg) and Kirstie Elaine Alora (+73kg).
The participants in poomsae are: male – Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Raphael Enrico Mella, Dustin Jacob Mella, Jeordan Dominguez, Patrick King Perez, Darius Venerable and Marvin More; female – Rinna Babanto, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Janna Dominique Oliva and Aidaine Krishia Laxa.
The Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo are supporting the trip of the Filipinos, who are also tuning up for the Southeast Asian Games to be held in the country in November.