NCAA considering speed kicking as permanent event

Speed kicking may not be a fleeting thing for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The taekwondo event devised for the pandemic has a chance of becoming a permanent part of the country’s NCAA calendar, according to Season 96 management committee chief, Fr. Vic Calvo of Letran.“It could be,” said Calvo of the possibility. However, he said the process won’t be that easy as the policy board and the management-committee will have to green light such measure.

Still, the next season, which will begin in September, might still retain it depending on the coronavirus situation in the country.

If and when it gets approved, the event, conceptualized by Philippine Taekwondo Association officials and coaches, and Philippine team and St. Benilde mentor Japoy Lizardo said it would be a welcome addition to the sport.

“For me, it would be nice to get it included as a regular event for NCAA,” said Lizardo, a two-time Southeast Asian Games medalist and three-time Asian Championship silver winner.

He added: “That way, there are more events for the players not just sparring and poomsae. This will also develop their speed, stamina and endurance which they can use in sparring.

The Blazers have so far amassed six gold medals in speed-kicking, which counts the legit kicks a jin can throw in 60 seconds.

St. Benilde’s Krizelle Therese Yadao scored in the women’s flyweight category Thursday to add to her earlier mint in poomsae. INQ