Smart Olympic squad off to Korea

MANILA—Members of the Smart taekwondo team will undergo training in Korea from June 6 to 18 in preparation for the world Olympic qualifying tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 25 to July 4.

The PH squad will be composed of John Paul Lizardo, Marlon Avenido, Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison, Jose Anthony Soriano, Jyra Marie Lizardo, Pauline Louise Lopez, Jade Zafra and Maria Camille Manalo.

“They’re the best among the current crop of Filipino fighters,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association vice president Sung Chon Hong. “They have been tested in various local and international competitions.”

The team will be accompanied by Korean coach Kim Hong Sik.

The training gives the Filipinos the opportunity to improve their chances of reaching the 2012 London Olympics.

They will go up against crack Koreans in the best Korean taekwondo schools and gymnasiums such as Pung Seng School, Dong-A University and Yong In University. They will also test their skills against Samsung’s professional jins.

Four London Olympic berths—two male and two female—will be up for grabs in the world qualifying event.

Four more male and female slots will be disputed in the Asian qualification tournament scheduled November 2 to 4, in Bangkok.

The Filipinos’ training is supported by Smart Communications, PLDT and the Philippine Sports Commission.