The SMART/MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo team bagged 19 medals, including eight golds in the recent 2022 Asian Cadet, Junior, and Para-Taekwondo Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Ian Matthew Corton, Joshua Aaron Erece, Lucas Llarena, Caleb Angelo Calde, Dean Darnet Venerable, Casey De Leon, Acey Kiana Oglayon, and Juliana Martha Uy topped their respective class in Poomsae event.
Marie Nicole Anne Labayne settled for silver while Elizabeth Marie Borres, Antonette Medallada, Aesha Kiana Oglayon, Cyrus Rodan Sinugbojan, Ethan Jervey Dayne Chavez, Kent John Ilde Banzon, Tachiana Keizha Mangin, Allain Keanu Ganapin, Andrew Fabella, Eljay Marco Vista, Paul Anthony Rodriguez produced silvers in their respective events.
The team’s participation is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and MILO.
Other members of the team (Kyorugi) headed by Raul Samson with Stephen Fernandez (Competition Supervisory Board) and coaches Janneth Tenorio, Devy John Singson, Christian Al Dela Cruz and Carlos Padilla were John Renzo Balido, Legolas Peñaredondo, Jose Jacob Cartagena, John Joseph Timothy Melicado, Renzo Maverick Gavilanes, Justine James Diasnes; Vince Raiane Santianez, Merica Lillyn Chan, Felicity Jana Castel, Ryane Joie De Juan, Caitlin Julia Carlos, Sophia Jane Dorado, Andrea Marie Benocilla, Kurt Jyrus Emboltura.
The tournament drew 21 countries, including traditional powers like Korea, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Iran.