Olympian Kurt Barbosa banners a star-studded cast in the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation National Carlos Palanca, Jr. (CPJ) Taekwondo Championships this weekend at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay, Pasay City.
The country’s lone bet in Tokyo Olympics and a two-time SEAG champion is the heavy favorite in the -54-kgs class of the tournament organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA).
The two-day event is part of the organization’s qualifying selection for the 2023 National Team.
It will likewise serve as as tune-up to members of the Philippine Team set to compete in the World Taekwondo Championship in November in Guadalajara, Mexico as well as the Asian Taekwondo Championships, Asian Junior/Cadet Taekwondo Championships and the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) set next year.
Also joining in the competition sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and MILO are Barbosa’s fellow National University standouts Dave Cea, Arven Alcantara, Alfritz Arevalo, Joseph Chua, and Laila Delo Baby Jessica.
Over 1,000 participants from PTA affiliated organizations, schools and clubs nationwide have confirmed participation in the Kyorugi (free sparring) and Poomsae (form) events.
The Kyorugi will feature Senior, Junior, Cade, Grade School and Toddler fighters for both male and female, while Poomsae will be divided into two events – Recognized (Individual, team & Mixed pair), and Freestyle (Individidual and Mixed pair).
