Big field vies in Smart/MVP taekwondo tilt

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh from its successful campaign in the Cambodia SEA Games, the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) stages the 2023 Smart/MVP Sports Foundation New Face of the Year Taekwondo Championship on May 20-21 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Around 3,000 newcomers are expected to vie in the two-day tournament aimed at discovering new talents that will soon follow the footsteps of elite taekwondo jins, including Kurt Barbosa, who completed an amazing three-peat in the men’s -54kg in the SEA Games.

The event, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo, will also highlight the progress of the sport in the country and display the latest techniques and styles that enabled the Philippine taekwondo squad to become the most productive association for Team Philippines in Cambodia.

Hostilities start at 9 a.m.

The competition will be categorized into novice and advanced players with five divisions namely: senior, junior, cadet, grade school and toddler classed separately for male and female competitors.