philippine taekwondo jins boast the national colors in the 16th asean taekwondo championships

The National Taekwondo team kicked, punched, and shouted for the Philippines and garnered 61 medals at the 16th ASEAN Taekwondo Championships. Read the victory they brought to the Philippines. 

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Written by Gabrielle Tan

Layout by Bernadette Ojo

Posted on March 22, 2023 |   12:45 P.M.

Last March 10-12, 2023, at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay in Parañaque City, the 16th ASEAN Taekwondo Championships took place. The 3-day competition, according to PTA (Philippine Taekwondo Association) secretary general Raul Samson, is a tune-up for the Southeast Asian Games; it has been a tradition for the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation Family to hold the competition the same year as the SEA games. 

Along with the Philippines, six other countries competitively fought for a stand on the podium. Over 400 delegates from Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Brunei participated in both sparring and poomsae categories. 

Day 1 of the competition is when the poomsae category took place. The country’s Jins flaunted their mastery as they snatched an outstanding 12 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 8 bronze medals. 

Sparring athletes showcased their powerful kicks and sly defenses against their opponents in the last 2 days of the competition. They successfully kicked their way to the top 4 with 6 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 22 bronze medals. 

Philippine Taekwondo will make its way towards the 32nd Southeast Asian Games this May 5-16, 2023. “The Philippine National Taekwondo team actually has a lot in store this year. There will be upcoming competitions locally and internationally. Therefore, you can expect more medals to come, as we will continue to work hard, remain dedicated, and be more disciplined. Not only that, but you can also expect more astonishing demonstration choreographies during local tournaments,” Casey de Leon, a silver medalist and a member of the Philippine national team medalist stated.

When asked about the whole team’s triumph, “On behalf of the team, we are all happy and honored to represent our country in our hometown. There may be pressure, but we all take it as a good pressure for us to persevere more, and to be more clear on our team goal which is to get the Gold medal for our country. With enough cooperation, coordination, and team time and also extra training for our own personal growth, it was all worth it,” gold and bronze medalist Patrick Perez replied.