By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the most hardworking sports organizers in Western Visayas just pulled off two successful Regional sporting events in the Province of Guimaras last January 13 to 14, 2024.
Dr. Richard Gabayoyo, the current National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) area head for Western Visayas, brought the 20th BONELL Regional Taekwondo Championship (Mayor Samuel T. Gumarin Cup) and the Palayag Festival Regional Arnis Tournament, all held in Buenavista, Guimaras.
The seasoned sportsman served as a tournament director for both events and oversaw the overall operations for two days.
For the 20th BONELL taekwondo event, almost 140 jins from all over Western Visayas traveled to Guimaras and vie for the crown.
The Buenavista Gym was jam-packed with aspiring young jins, dedicated coaches, families, and taekwondo gyms. All of them came to compete and gave the Guimarasnons a treat.
After one day of intense taekwondo action, it was the Zarraga Do Jang who was hailed as the overall champion of the event.
Clinching second place are the jins from Seguiban taekwondo gym while booking the final spot in the top 3 is the NTG gym.
Meanwhile, in the Palayag Arnis event, an overwhelming 200-person headcount flocked to the Buenavista Gym to witness the prized arnisadors and arnisadoras of Western Visayas.
Overall, the hailed kings and queens of the Palayag Arnis tournament came from the Iloilo City Sports Academy.
Placing second is the Matti Bacolod team while making the last trip for a podium finish were the athletes from Zarraga.
Dr. Gabayoyo would like to thank the Philippine Taekwondo Association RMC-6B, Players’ Center Sports and the Buenavista LGU.
