OLYMPIAN Kurt Bryan Barbosa and six other Cambodia SEA Games gold medal winners will banner the Smart/MVPSF Philippine taekwondo team that will see action in the tough Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships on Aug. 8 to 14.
Aside from Barbosa, the Philippine Taekwondo Association said three other individual gold medalists — Samuel Morrison, Patrick King Perez and Kirstie Ellaine Alora plus the troika of Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Aidaine Krishia Laxa and Maria Nicole Ann Labayne in Poomsae — will also compete in the charming capital city of Gangwon Province.
In all, 20 Filipino taekwondo jins, including 11 veteran male fighters, will see action in Kyorugi (free sparring) and another 15 in Poomsae (forms) — 9 female and 6 male athletes who are all supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.
Barbosa is among the favorites in the minus 58kg class while Morrison is also fancied to do well in the minus 87kg division along with Alora in the plus 73kg and Perez in the individual poomsae.
The event will test the readiness of the national team for next month’s Hangzhou Asian Games.
Other Pinoy bets in sparring are Joseph Chua (-63kg), Dave Cea (-74kg), Justin Mark Agno (-74kg), Sturdy Jay Gilbuena (-68kg), Dex Ian Chavez (-58kg), Kent John Ilde Banzon (-54kg) Rodito Sinugbojan, Jr. (-48kg), Michael Cabaluna, Jr. (-45kg) and Kurt Mykel Curata, Jr. (-51kg).
