The best and toughest taekwondo jins in the country test their skills and creativity as they battle it out in the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation-National CPJ (Carlos Palanca, Jr.) Taekwondo Championships slated February 18 and 19 at the Ayala Malls-Manila Bay in Paranaque.
Tokyo Olympics’ campaigner Kurt Bryan Barbosa heads the list of grizzled veterans in the tournament organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO.
Several fighters to watch out for, include Mexico World Championships’ quarterfinalist Dave Cea and Joseph Chua, along with Laila Delo and Baby Jessica Canabal, as well as SEA Games multi-titled Elaine Alora.
Over 1,000 participants were confirmed to showcase their wares in the two events – Kyorugi (fress sparring) and Ponsae (Forms) – to be played.
The Kyorugi will feature Senior, Junior, Cadet and Grade School fighters for both male and female, while Poomsae will be divided into three divisions – Recognized Poomsae (individual), Recognized Poomsae (Team and Mixed Pair) and Freestyle Poomsae (Individual and Mixed).
The competition also serves as tune-up for members of the Philippine Team, who will compete in the ATF Taekwondo Championships scheduled on March 11 and 12, also at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay.
It is also part of a series of qualifying meets for fighters vying slots for the national team, that will be sent to different international events this year, such as World Championships, Asian Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, World Cadet Championships, and the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia slated May 6 to 17.
The PTA invites parents and sports enthusiasts to enroll their children to learn the basics of the sport and witness the competition, which starts at 9 a.m.