Remains Undefeated!

Defending champion Kurt Burbosa reclaims gold against Panachai Jaijula in the male Kyorugi Taekwondo under 54kg of the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Tay Ho Gymnasium in Vietnam.  

Being a 2-time champion of his league, Barbosa still holds the title of his throne, pouncing a fruitful 16-7 win, beating down Jaijula in the run for the quarterfinals match.

The 23-year-old Tokyo Olympian edges out Jaijula serving multiple attack points and kicks resulting the contender falling short.

Pacing himself in the final minutes of the game, Barbosa was able to hold off Juijula’s attempt for a breakthrough in the final round seeding an 8-0 advantage.

“I was shaken and nervous everytime the start of my game, but it always gradually disappears afterwards since I always manage to step on the gas and beat the contender” Burbosa said in Filipino in a close end interview.

Before the finals match, Burbosa went against Indonesia’s best, the outwit Reinaldy Atmanegera in the piercing match for the advancement of moving towards the finals with 44-42 tops.

This is the 34th gold of the Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.