Smart/MVPSF inter-school taekwondo slated

MANILA, Philippines — Just how ready the collegiate taekwondo jins are will be known when the Philippine Taekwondo Association stages the 2025 Smart/MVPSF National Inter-School Taekwondo Championships on Aug. 23-24 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Malate, Manila.

Led by Grand Master Hong Sung-chon and secretary-general Rocky Samson, the PTA holds the two-day event that will gather the cream of varsity jins, slugging it out in five divisions of both the Novice and Advanced categories.

Fully supported by Milo, the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee, the tournament will also serve as a perfect avenue for participants to gauge their rivals in time for the opening of their respective leagues.

The opening ceremony on Saturday at 2 p.m. will have Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa as guest of honor while the Kyungmin University Demonstration Team – a champion team from Korea – is to stage a performance for spectators and participants.

National University, University of Santo Tomas, La Salle, St. Paul (Pasig), Emilio Aguinaldo College and Diliman Preparatory School are again tipped to figure out prominently with expected tough challenges from teams from the Visayas and Mindanao.

All affiliated schools of the PTA – one of the country’s most successful sports associations – are expected to field their top athletes in pursuit of excellence. Elimination rounds start at 9 a.m.