Favored poomsae jins eye sweep

NAYPYITAW—Coach Jean Pierre Sabido swears the members of his poomsae teams are in the best shape of their careers.

The women’s trio in the discipline of grace and form goes for a grand slam while the men’s squad is out to sustain its strong form in the recent world championship as taekwondo’s poomsae events get going Wednesday in the 27th Southeast Asian Games.

“The team is in high spirits, and we’re going for nothing but the gold,” said Sabido as the jins try to surpass the output of four gold, three silver and five bronze medals in the previous meet.

Janice Lagman, Rani Ortega and Rinna Babanto are the women entries. Gone is Camille Alarilla, who won the gold with Lagman and Ortega in 2009 in Laos and 2011 in Indonesia. Alarilla’s busy schedule at San Beda’s law school forced her to forgo the Games.

“Rinna is younger, stronger, and there’s confidence in her moves. She’s a worthy replacement,” said Sabido, a a member of the winning men’s poomsae team in Laos.

Entered in the men’s trio are Vidal Marvin Gabriel, Raphael Enrico Mella and Dustin Jacob Mella. Gabriel took the silver (poomsae doubles) and bronze (poomsae singles) in Indonesia.

“They’re peaking just in time for the SEA Games,” said Sabido. “I’m expecting a tough battle because all of the good poomsae artists are here.”