Rama bags lone World Cadet t’kwondo medal

WENDIL Jay Rama recently brought home a bronze medal from the 2nd World Cadet Championships in Muju, Korea.

Rama outclassed his Brazilian and Palestinian rivals, 13-0 and 10-4, respectively, and in the quarterfinals, crushed his German foe, 18-8, in the  Under-33 kg category.

But Rama had to settle for a bronze—the country’s lone medal—when he dropped a 5-9 decision to Iranian Amir Valipour, in the semifinals.

Korea’s Kang-min Kim eventually beat Valipour, 5-3, for the gold.

Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Zokirov shared the bronze with Rama.

“Wendil did very well.  He made our country proud,” said Philippine delegation head Tem Igor Mella of the Meralco/MVP Sports Foundation fighter.

Korea took the overall male title and Iran the overall female crown in the four-day event that drew a total of 465 athletes, aged 12 to 14 years, from 59 countries.

Alvin Taraya and John Paul Lizardo coached the Philippine cadet squads.