PH jin bags World Cadet bronze

Mayn Yengele Coran, a 13-year-old University of Cebu student, bagged a bronze medal for the Smart-Philippine team in the 2014 World Cadet Taekwondo Championships held recently in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Fighting in the 44-kilogram female category, Coran pulled through in her first three bouts but fell to an Iranian, 8-12, in the semifinals.

The gritty Filipino kicked off her bid with a 27-3 victory over an Australian, followed by a 19-1 win over a Cyprus bet and nipped a Russian, 11-10, before bowing to the Iranian.

Most of Coran’s teammates surpassed their elimination matches and advanced to the next round in the 63-country competition which featured 730 players aged 12 to 14.

The other participants were Hewlett San Buenaventura, Godwin Jacob Calupitan, Raymundo Alombro III, Alvan Clyde Samera, Kamalayan Latupan, Harley Vincent Santos, Cindy Arcola, Allester Fias-Ilon, Ryshel Jasmin Ramirez, Beatrice Kassandra Gaerlan and Marc Genica De Laza.

Alvin Taraya and Jeffrey Figueroa coached the team headed by former senator Nikki Coseteng and sponsored by Smart Communications, MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, Meralco, TV5 and Philippine Sports Commission.