INQUIRER Sports

THE PHILIPPINES WILL SEND 10 OF ITS most promising taekwondo jins to the World junior championships and the world qualifying for the first Youth Olympic Games from March 3 to 9 in Tijuana, Mexico.

The team flies to Mexico on Wednesday, according to head of delegation and former Olympian Stephen Fernandez, hoping to snare its first gold in 14 years.

?These are very tough tournaments but we are ready to give it all we?ve got,? said Fernandez, who will be accompanied by fellow Olympian Robert ?Kitoy? Cruz as head coach and Dax Morfe as assistant coach.

Philippine Taekwondo Association executive vice president Sung Hong Chon will also be with the team along with Ricky Santiago as international referee, and Korean mentor Hyo Jun Kim.

Flyweight Charissa Camille Alombro, spearhead of the girls? team, will compete in both the Worlds and the YOG qualifying along with bantamweight Lay Ann Nuguid and lightweight April Soliven.

Finweight Moses Chan will banner the boys? team, which features Wilson Dumo, Kurt Barbosa, Jerry Del Rosario, Kevin Sia, and Kino Mendoza.