By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Mark V. Pinggol (MVP) taekwondo team made it known that their talent can also match the best of the best in the international scene after dominating the 14th International Open Taekwondo Championships at the Kyungmin University in Seoul, South Korea, on August 24, 2024.
Fresh off a stellar outing during the Visayas Age Group Championships tournament where they nabbed a total of 14 gold medals, the prized Ilonggo jins from the MVP gym picked up where they left off in South Korea, garnering a total of 20 medals.
After the action-packed international tournament, the Iloilo MVP gym brought home a total of 12 golds, seven silvers, and a bronze medal.
Leading the PHL and Iloilo representatives is the trio of Lindsy Lorraine Degayo, Alleina Nestley Gajasan, and Phoebe Margaret Capadosa, the only Iloilo MVP jins who won all gold medals in their respective categories.
Degayo is currently taking up her high school education in Dumangas, Gajasan at the Kids Home Alternative School, and Capadosa at Ateneo de Iloilo.
Meanwhile, the other gold medalists who shone in South Korea were Kylie Ellise Olivares, Gabriel Dominic Capadosa, Margarette Gem Obsequio, Adrian Joseph Gajasan III, and Elisha Miela Paradero.
Last but not the least, the jins who shared the silver and the bronze medals were Alexander Niccolo Gajasan and Gajasan III, who bagged the third-place finish in the jumping side kick category.
All of the jins are mentored by none other than Mr. MVP himself, Mr. Denmark V. Pinggol, and the rest of his assistant coaching squad.
“First and foremost, let’s give all the glory to our Almighty God. As always, our inspiration comes from the unwavering support of our MVP parents, the collaborative efforts of our MVP Coaches, and the deep desire we have to bring honor and pride to our beloved Iloilo in the field of sports,” said Mr. Pinggol in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
