The UST Tiger Jins captured the women’s seniors title and finished runners-up in three other divisions at the Smart MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Championships held July 26-27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Behind four gold medals, UST topped the women’s seniors division, while its men’s squad placed first runner-up. The girls’ juniors team also secured a second runner-up finish.
Powering the women’s championship campaign were Aretha Pualengco (under-57kg), Jeanne May Urmaneta (under-62kg), Andrea Marie Benocilla (under-46kg) and Marzelie Ignacio (under-53kg), who each struck gold in their respective divisions.
Chrisselle Galve claimed bronze in the under-57kg division, while K-Ann Gibaga and Eira Gador also earned bronze medals in the under-53kg and under-49kg classes, respectively.
UST also impressed in the men’s seniors division, where Rama Liporada captured the under-63kg title and Legolas Peñaredondo ruled the under-68kg category.
Gian Fernandez added a silver medal in the under-87kg division.
The girls’ team, meanwhile, finished second runner-up after collecting one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
Dwayne Principe led the girls’ squad by winning gold in the over-68kg division. Paulina Sebastian (under-49kg), Feolisa Durana (under-63kg), Quynh Edillor (under-52kg) and Ryzza Cadileña (under-42kg) each contributed silver medals.
Mitch Enriquez (under-42kg) and Samantha Pascual (under-55kg) completed the girls’ medal haul with bronze finishes.
In the boys’ division, Von Romantiko (under-68kg) and Kyle Gaupo (under-74kg) each secured bronze medals.
“Effective at maganda yung adjustment namin pagdating sa program ngayon. Parang eto ‘yong naging trial namin, (at) kahit papaano, maganda naman kinalabasan,” UST coach Nigel Buan told the Varsitarian.
“Mas nadagdagan ‘yong fire, ‘yong gigil, at gutom (para) manalo… This achievement is our stepping stone towards the upcoming UAAP season,” he added.
The Tiger Jins will next compete in the 2026 National Inter-School Taekwondo Championship on Aug. 22-23 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
