MVPSF/CPJ taekwondo meet set

MANILA, Philippines — Olympian Kurt Barbosa leads a strong field set to clash in the Smart/MVP Sports Foundation National Carlos Palanca Jr. (CPJ) Taekwondo Championships slated Oct. 8-9 at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay, Pasay City.

Barbosa, the country’s lone taekwondo bet in the Tokyo Olympics and two-time Southeast Asian Games champion, is the favorite in the -54 kg. class in the competition serving as part of the qualifying process for slots to the national team.

The two-day event, organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA), also serves as tune-up matches for nationals set to compete in the World Taekwondo Championships in November in Guadalajara, Mexico as well as the Asian Taekwondo Championships, Asian Junior/Cadet Taekwondo Championships and the Asian Indoor Martial Art Games (AIMAG) set next year.

Also joining in the competition sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Milo are Barbosa’s fellow National University standout 2019 SEAG gold medal winner Dave Cea, and national mainstays Arven Alcantara, Alfritz Arevalo, Joseph Chua, and Laila Delo Baby Jessica.

Over 1,000 bets from PTA-affiliated organizations, schools and clubs nationwide are confirmed to compete in the kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae (form) events.

The kyorugi will feature senior, junior, cadet, grade school and toddler fighters.