Former UST Tiger Jin Darius Venerable will join the National University (NU) taekwondo team as its poomsae freestyle coach, the school announced Monday, July 20.
Venerable played a pivotal role in helping the UST Tiger Jins reclaim the UAAP Season 84 recognized poomsae title.
While coaching in the UAAP freestyle division was never part of his original plans, Venerable accepted the role after NU head coach Dustin Mella offered him the position.
“This opportunity is also a chance for myself na mag-grow as a coach para mas ma-guide ko mga students ko to be the best versions of themselves as a freestyle player,” Venerable told the Varsitarian.
A member of the Philippine national team, Venerable has won gold at the World Combat Games, silver at the Asian Championships, and consecutive Southeast Asian Games silver medals in 2019 and 2022.
He also recently claimed silver in the men’s under-35 division of the 2026 Virtual Chuncheon, Korea Open.
The UAAP debuted freestyle poomsae as a demonstration event across all divisions in Season 88. Charles Martin A. Manalang
