INQUIRER Sports

TWELVE OF THE COUNTRY’S TOP-rated jins, led by Olympic veterans Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero, will banner the Smart Philippines taekwondo team in the 2009 world championships on Oct. 14 to 18 in Copenhagen.

“Our athletes have trained long and hard for this major international event,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association head Robert N. Aventajado.

Aside from Go and Rivero, who will compete in the under 63-kilogram and under 67 kg divisions, respectively, 10 other jins will carry the national colors in the tournament supported by Smart Communications Inc. and the Philippine Sports Commission.

They are John Paul Lizardo (under 54 kg), Nicole Mapilisan (under 58 kg), Jeffrey Figueroa (under 68 kg), Marlon Avenido (under 80 kg) and Alexander Briones (plus 87 kg), Jyra Marie Lizardo (under 49 kg), Kathleen Eunice Alora (under 53 kg), Karla Jane Alava (under 57 kg), Maria Criselda Roxas (under 62 kg) and Kirstie Elaine Alora (under 73 kg).

The Filipinos have always been regarded as top contenders in the world championships, which have also drawn 142 other countries including South Korea, China, France, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, and the United States.

The tournament also serves as the national team’s preparation for the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Laos and the 2012 London Olympics.