Carrying the colors of SMART/MVP Sports Foundation, a 17-man Philippine taekwondo team shoots for more international honors when it competes in the 2018 Asia Pacific Masters Games, September 6-9 in Palembang, Malaysia.
Two officials and 15 athletes make up the Philippine squad which sees action against entries from 34 other countries in two events — kyorugi (free sparring) and poomsae (forms).
Among the Filipinos’ tough rivals in the tournament are Korea, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Iran, and China.
Raul Samson will head the team while Carlos Jose Padilla V will serve as coach.
The Filipino athletes are: Kyorugi — Joseph Gadiana (-58 kg), Roderick Rivera (-58 kg), Jan Joseph Hernandez (-68 kg), Arnold Valenzuela (-80 kg) and Renan Desaluna (-80 kg). Poomsae — Jean Pierre Sabido, playing coach; Galilee Tinaya, Ernesto Guzman Jr., June Ninobla, Glenn Buenafe, Jerry Ysmael, Joel Lacsamana, Eulogio Rodriguez, Alileah Dulce Amor Perez and Vina Marie Ignacio-Rivera.
Filipino fighters have always been considered among the top performers in prestigious international competitions because of the year-round training and preparations conducted by the Philippine Taekwondo Associaition.
The Malaysia-bound PH team is supported by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.