Asia-Pacific Taekwondo: Int’l medalists carry PH bid

MANILA, Philippines—International and national campaigners will carry the Philippine colors in the 2015 Asia-Pacific Taekwondo Invitational Championships slated this weekend at SM Mall in Iloilo City.

Leading the Filipino fighters are Southeast Asian (Asean) University Games gold medalists Francis Aaron Agojo, 2014 Asian Games bronze medalists Benjamin Keith Sembrano, Samuel Morrison and Mary Anjelay Pelaez and 2013 Southeast Asian Games gold winner Jade Zafra.

Also suiting up for the Philippines are Irene Therese Bermejo, silver medalist in last year’s 10th World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Taipei and Christian Al dela Cruz, Korea Open bronze medalist last year in South Korea.

Nine countries, led by South Korea and the US, are participating in the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, City Government of Iloilo, Philippine Taekwondo Association, World Taekwondo Federation, Smart, SM and Milo.

Entries from Guam, Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam will also see action. PTA head Hong Sung Chun is confident the Filipinos will put up a good performance since they have trained long and hard.