By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Weeks after being named as the best-performing taekwondo gym during the 1st Mayor Stephen A. Palmares Pintados De Passi Taekwondo Championships, the Iloilo Mark V. Pinggol (MVP) took no days off and dominated the 1st Mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta tournament from April 1-2, 2023.
The prestigious MVP jins put up a spectacular show at the Robinsons Place in Pavia and hauled medals in both the poomsae and kyorugi categories.
Their flawless outing during the kyorugi category helped them clinch the overall champion awards in the juniors and the cadet division as well as the Best Coach recognition award given to Mr. Pinggol himself.
After two days of taekwondo action, the Iloilo MVP gym clinched a total of 39 golds, 10 silvers, and three bronze medals in the poomsae category.
Meanwhile, in the kyorugi category where they swept the overall championship award, the MVP jins had 22 golds, 12 silvers, and five bronze medals.
Leading the pack of the gold medalists in the poomsae are Nicah Jane Robles, Merial Detablan, Amber Gale Abellar, Prince Ivan Dugayo, Nieka Thalia Guevara, Nathan Lee Dedal, Jin Saimon Saquilon, Adenny Lourl Rivera, Lindsy Lorraine Degayo, and Cleo Alexandria Evangelista.
Those who brought home the silver medals are Alexyza Tamises, Julia Hernosa Ilustre, Charee Marie Genecela, Viene Marie Dulaca, Aiyanna Jade Espina, and John Anthony Espina.
In the kyorugi category, the champion jins are the following: Ethan Caputli, Carl Tyrone Donguila, Khent Wharlie Donguila, George Frederick Allan, Duncan Kyle Rivera, Christine Jade Roncesvalles, Clark Kent Dilag, Dwight Dating, and Sheine Nicole De Asis.
Silver medalists in the category are led by Edward Layson, Adrian Joseph Gajasan III, Andre Jules Jordan, Cirila Johanne Sulatra, John Xyrell Dulos, and Lance Baylon.
Backstopping Pinggol in honing the MVP jins are coaches Villarin Melcris, Diego Garcia, and Janjan Gersanib.
