Mangin eyes bigger 2025 and beyond

Tachiana Kezhia Mangin poses with her gold medal at the World Taekwondo Junior Championships.–PHOTO FROM WORLD TAEKWONDO

At just 17, Tachiana Mangin stands poised to create her own path in the taekwondo world.

The reigning junior world champion, who triumphed at the 2023 World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea, has set her eyes on new heights for 2025. Her agenda: the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China, and the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

“There are many things I want to achieve. I want to compete in the SEA Games and world championships next year,” Mangin said in a recent interview. Her victory in the women’s 49-kilogram class was a landmark achievement, breaking a long drought for the Philippines on the global stage. Her opponent? A formidable Korean fighter on home turf.

Olympics a goal

With this accomplishment, Mangin became the Philippines’ first junior world champion since Alex Borromeo’s 1996 win in the men’s 47-kg division in Barcelona, Spain.

Mangin’s ambitions stretch far beyond next year. She’s already thinking of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, and qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I’m very motivated. I will work doubly hard to achieve these goals,” said Mangin, a senior high school student at the University of Santo Tomas.

Under the guidance of Kirstie Alora, a decorated taekwondo athlete and former Olympian, Mangin appears well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

“Tachiana is no ordinary athlete. She has a bright future. In fact, she almost made it to the Paris Olympics,” Alora noted.

While Mangin continues her rigorous training, she also has her sights set on collegiate success. As a future member of the University of Santo Tomas’ senior taekwondo team, she aims to help the Tigresses secure another UAAP championship in the coming seasons.

“Hopefully, next year is going to be my year,” Mangin said.