MAPAMASA starts grassroots initiative with first leg of 2024 series
At A Glance
- Grassroots development of local athletes is a common thing heard these days. Different groups have tried to adopt the initiative, including Taekwondo.
Beyond the Game
MAPAMASA starts grassroots initiative with first leg of 2024 series
By Brian Yalung
Grassroots development of local athletes is a common thing heard these days. Different groups have tried to adopt the initiative, including Taekwondo.
The MAPAMASA group, a gathering of Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) instructors from Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan, is doing its share to raise homegrown players who can broaden the number of available fighters.
The group has been holding has been hosting tournaments since 2017, giving local fighters a chance to showcase their skills. For 2024, they will hold the first leg with the MAPAMASA Taekwondo Championships, a one-day tournament that will be held at the Tiendesitas Mall & Events Place in Ortigas East, Pasig City starting at 7:00 a.m.
The group is expecting roughly 300 participants this weekend, competing in Poomsae and Kyorugi events. They will be divided into different age categories.
· Toddler Division (8-years-old and below)
· Grade School Division (9 to 11 years old)
· Cadet Division (12 to 14 years old)
· Junior Division (15 to 17 years old)
· Senior Division (18 years old and above)
Also on tap will be the Taeguk form, a basic form or pattern used to simulate a multi-directional attack. Forms will be differentiated according to a jin’s belt.
· Taegeuk 1 (Yellow belts)
· Taegeuk 3 (Blue belts)
· Taegeuk 5 (Red belts)
· Taegeuk 7 (Brown belts)
As for black belters, forms will depend on the drawing of lots by the tournament committee.
After the forms, Kyorugi, or the sport of sparring or fighting will follow. Being an official event in all Asian Olympic qualifiers and the Olympics itself, fighters will get the chance to showcase their skill as they try to outwit their counterparts.
All events will be held on 6x6 meter mats that will serve as courts for the tournament.
With multiple events set, the 2024 MAPAMASA Taekwondo Championships promises to be an inaugural event to look forward to.