By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Despite the small gym these kids train in, their hearts and determination prevailed as they achieved their ultimate goal of lifting the Calinog Taekwondo scene and qualify for the Palarong Pambansa.
Representing the third district, these prized taekwondo athletes collected five medals, 3 gold medals, and 2 bronze medals.
Greg May Peñalosa, representing the Calinog NCHS, won the gold medal in the welterweight category, crushing the opponent, 26-0.
In the lightweight category, Julius Nicholai Gustilo nabbed the gold medal, winning by a margin of 9 points.
Another gold medal was delivered by Feri Carmel Perez, conquering the girls’ secondary fin weight, winning the gold medal match 26-3, against her opponent from the Mary Immaculate Academy.
Meanwhile, Seth Hendrick Porquez and Felix Ace Perez both contributed bronze medals in the boys’ secondary fin weight and the boys’ elementary, 144-150 category, respectively.