Eight players – six male and 2 female – will carry the colors of the SMART/MVPSF Philippine taekwondo team in the World Cadet Taekwondo Championships on May 10-15 in in Fujairah, UAE.
Small and compact, the PH cadet team is one of the highly-regarded teams in the prestigious event owing to numerous memorable triumphs of the previous PH squads in the event.
Members of the team are Dondy Santillan, Jr.(-37kg), Wynn Azmyth Dela Cruz(-41kg) Achim Jeconiah Resimo (-45kg) Mark Julian Santiago (-49kg), Jian Axl Khloe Liyad (-53kg), Jose Martin Omayan(-61kg), Samantha Gley Duria (-41kg), Sophia Maria Bautista (-44kg).
Backing the team are the Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo and Philippine Sports Commission
The Philippine Taekwondo Association, however, said the team will be up against traditional powers like Korea, Iran, Russia, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Spain, Turkey, and USA. A total of 50 countries are taking part in this year’s edition.
Having trained long and hard enough, the association is confident the PH cadets will perform prominently in their respective divisions.
Former world champion Roberto Cruz is head of the delegation while designated as coaches of the team are Paul Romero and former Asian champion Kirstie Elaine Alora.
