By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Ateneo de Iloilo taekwondo squad dominated the National Jesuits Athletic Meet held at the Xavier School in Nuvali, Laguna, from September 19-24, 2023.
Ateneo’s brave and young jins gave their all in the two-day taekwondo competition to notch a total of four golds, three silvers, and a bronze medal both in the poomsae and the kyorugi categories.
On the first day, Essence Sinoy, Cyd Edryc Esmaña, and Julianna Martha Uy delivered the gold medals for the school.
Phoebe Margaret Capadosa, Niesha Kariz Pequierda, and Antonio Miguel Nafarrete took home the silver medals while Elisha Venice Aguilar settled for the bronze.
Ateneo de Iloilo stepped on the gas pedal on Day 2 and swept the kyorugi event by winning all four gold medals.
Those four jins who grabbed the championship spot on the podium were Aguilar, Jose Enrico Chan, Sophia Grace Go, and Samantha Gayle Go.
Aside from their impressive medal haul, Ateneo de Iloilo was also awarded as the school with the most medals in the poomsae category.
It was a tough road to success for the Ilonggo jins after facing the top athletes from nine other Jesuits schools from all over the country.
The pool of prized Ilonggo jins was trained by one of the most renowned taekwondo coaches in the country, Mr. Mark V. Pinggol.
Ateneo de Iloilo’s opponents were: SHS-Ateneo de Cebu, Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Ateneo de Davao University, Xavier University, Xavier School Nuvali, Loyola College of Culion, Xavier School San Juan, and Ateneo de Naga.