The Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) resumed strengthening its athletes’ program by sending a 25-player squad in the Asian Taekwondo Championships on June 22 to 27 and the Korean Open International Taekwondo Championships on June 29 to July 5 both in South Korea.
Olympians Kurt Barbosa and Elaine Alora banner the crew kyorugi (sparring) team composed of Samuel Morrison, Dave Cea, Israel Cantos, Arven Alcantara, and Joseph Chua, as well as Sharifa de la Cruz, Veronica Garces, Baby Jessica Canabal, Realis Lorena Tabiando and Laila Delo.
The poomsae (form) team, meanwhile, is composed of reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Raphael Enrico Mella, Patrick King Perez, Jeordan Dominguez, Darius Venerable, Justin Kobe Macario, Joaquin Dominic Tuzon, Aidaine Krishia Laxa, Angelica Joyce Gaw, Janna Dominique Oliva, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo and Laeia Soria.
Accompanying the contingent are coaches Dindo Simpao, Paul Romero, Christian de la Cruz and Rani An Ortega, as well as PTA secretary-general Rocky Samson.
This would be the first tournament of the national team since the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last month where the PH squad went home with two gold, five silver and three bronze medals.
READ: Barbosa retains SEAG kyorugi title
It is also part of the association’s long-term preparations for the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games scheduled next year.