Five UST Jins notched medals for the Philippine team in the 2022 Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships on July 1-4.
Tiger Jin Kobe Macario took home the team’s lone gold in the competition’s individual event with a score of 7.700 in the over-17 men’s freestyle category.
“My teammates and my coaches play a huge part in my winnings as well. I am humbled that I am a part of such a supportive and strong team that’s why I always push to be better and go over and beyond of what is expected of me,” Macario told the Varsitarian.
In the same event, UST’s Darius Venerable finished third with a 7.566-point performance. Korea’s Park Seung-jin secured the silver with 7.633 points.
Southeast Asian Games medalist and former Tiger Jin Rodolfo Reyes Jr. reaped the bronze medal in the men’s under-30 individual category. Korea’s Kim Sang-woo and Kim Kyeong Seo clinched the gold and silver, respectively.
In the women’s play, former Lady Jin Jocel Lyn Ninobla gave the team Philippines a silver while Aidaine Laxa secured the bronze in the under-30 individual category. Jung Haeun of Korea topped the event, which has 68 competing players.
Under the senior mixed team event, two set of trio from the Philippines dominated the podium finish.
Reyes Jr. teamed up with Enrico Mella and Angelica Gaw to reap the country’s second gold medal in the competition after scoring 21.931 points. The trio of Ninobla, Patrick Perez, and Nikki Oliva placed second (21.831).
“To the other UST Jins that also won, I am proud and elated as always. As most people say, “all for one, one for all,” said Macario.
The Philippine team registered a 2-3-4 gold-silver-bronze medal tally
