TWO THOMASIAN jins contributed to the Philippines’ medal tally in the 2012 Asian Taekwondo Championships at the Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam from May 4 to 11.
Physics sophomore Marvin Gabriel received a gold medal in the poomsae (forms) men’s team under-29 category, while Tiger Jin veteran Christian Al de la Cruz earned a bronze in the kyorugi (sparring) senior’s men welterweight division. The national team finished with 1-2-3 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.
Gabriel, along with teammates Jean Sabido and Galilee Tinaya, bested competitors from 16 other countries.
“It’s my first time to get a gold medal in an international event so winning was a success and at the same time a challenge,” Gabriel said. “I hope to defend the title and aim to set my goals higher this time, especially for the world championships in late May in South Korea.”
De la Cruz earlier crushed opponents from Kazakhstan and Indonesia, but fell short against South Korea.
Camille Manalo, a 2011 Southeast Asian Games (SEA) gold medallist, won a bronze against Vietnam but suffered an in-match anterior cruciate ligament injury after the game.
“The injury happened after a kick. When I landed on my foot, I twisted my knee,” said Manalo, whose recovery will take from six to eight months.
The Philippines had 48 delegates, 11 of whom were Thomasians, during the week-long competition that served as a tune-up for the London Olympics in August.
Other Thomasians who participated were Shaneen Sia (mixed pair event), Paul Romero and Rhayzor Catres (bantamweight), Gershon Bautista, Francis Agojo, and Jade Zafra (featherweight), Jane Narra and Bianca Go (welterweight), and UAAP Season 74 Athlete of the Year Joaquin Mendoza Jr. (light middleweight).
UST head coach Dindo Siampao served as Philippine squad’s assistance coach. Jose Antonio R. Nisay
