Western Visayas is now making a name in the field of taekwondo as more jins from the region are making waves in various tournaments not just in the national arena but also in the international scene.

One solid proof is the turnout of the recently-concluded 2020 Smart/MVP Sports Foundation Global Taekwondo Online Speedkicking Championships where they garnered medals over the weekend.

Representing the A. Diasnes Taekwondo Gym, Iloilo’s Elisha Venice Aguilar and Djanne Joed Sarria captured the gold medals in the junior female light middleweight and junior male light heavyweight event divisions, respectively.

Alfie Diasnes and Cindy Joy Diasnes, mainstays of A. Diasnes Taekwondo Gym also settled for a silver and bronze finishes, separately.

“It feels good even I won a silver medal, it feels like a gold already, because I know I did my best and put amount of effort and time preparing for the competition. I’m happy because before the Global Speed Kicking Online Taekwondo Championships, I also competed in the ATF Asean Taekwondo online speed kicking championships and won 5th place, so it’s a huge leap for me from 5th place and winning a silver medal in this recent global competition within a month and it’s even tougher a competition. It’s also an honor to compete and represent my country again despite this trying times,” shared Diasnes.

Iloilo MVP’s small but terrible, Cyd Edryc Esmaña captured the bronze medal in the cadet male featherweight category while fellow Ilonggo Aldriene Earl Horlador won the bronze medal.

“Winning a medal in global speed kicking is something precious to me, my first time to be part of Ph team in speed kicking event. Despite of short notice and two days practice before recording, I managed to land at 4th place, I owe this to my MVP coach Mark Pinggol, who always believe in my capabilities as an athlete and to Almighty God who is my power and strength in every competition that I have,” said Esmaña.

In addition, Capiz jins contributed two golds, courtesy of Joshua Lopez and Allyah Dominique Eusalan while Lance Timothy Paragas settled for a bronze. The three Capiznon jins were from Venancio Taekwondo Academy-Capiz.

For our Preparations:

For Capiz coach Joven Venancio, they have actual (face to face) and virtual (online) training exclusively for the six national players. This is to make sure their continuous progress and development. Good thing these players are very consistent, persistent and no “off season” when it comes to training.

“As their trainer/coach, I am very satisfied with the results of the competition. I saw the hardships of my players when it comes to training, trying to balance their time since they have their online classes already. Training is physically draining that’s why as their coach, I’m very happy for them since winning a medal is very difficult especially in international competitions wherein they compete with the best players around the globe. I also feel accomplished as a coach that every training program I gave them, is working on them,” he added.

Negros Taekwondo Union’s Leigh Andee Rodriguez, on the other hand, settled for a bronze medal in the junior female finweight/flyweight category.IMT

Photo of Cyd Edryc Esmaña of Iloilo MVP Taekwondo Gym