Top female jins vying in Smart tilt tomorrow

MANILA—Members of the national pool will spearhead the women fighters seeing action in the 2011 Smart national all-women’s taekwondo championships tomorrow at the Rizal Coliseum.

Among the national pool jins competing are Jyra Marie Lizardo, Camille Manalo, Jade Zafra, Pauline Lopez, Karla Alava, Cecilia Viray and Claudette Rosales.

Other participants will come from Philippine Taekwondo Association chapters nationwide, including those from the military.

They will vie for honors in senior women, junior women and grade school girls divisions. Action starts at 9 a.m.

Organizing committee chair Sung Chon Hong said the competition is the PTA’s commitment to the development of sports in the country, particularly in the grassroots.

“Our country’s leading and up-and-coming female athletes will display different techniques and styles as they compete in the one-day event,” Hong said, adding that the PTA has already lined up big competitions for the year.

We will also send top athletes to two qualifying tournaments for next year’s London Olympics,” said Hong.

Toni Rivero represented the Philippines in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She was eliminated by Sandra Saric of Croatia, 4-1, in the -67 kg preliminary round.