Iran, Korea and Vietnam Capture Golds on Day 1 of 2016 WTF World Taekwondo Junior Championships

BURNABY, Canada (Nov. 16, 2016) – Gold medals went to Iran and Vietnam in the female categories, while Korea won both golds up for grabs in the male divisions on Day 1 of the 2016 WTF World Taekwondo Junior Championships.

The championships, which WTF President Chungwon Choue called “a road map to Tokyo 2020” features athletes aged 15-17. Burnaby’s Bill Copeland Sports Centre was full to the bursting point, and with many nations fielding vocal, 20-person teams, the event rocked to a noisy aural backdrop.

With 846 competitors and 458 officials registered, representing 102 countries, Burnaby 2016 is the biggest World Juniors ever.

On the first day of the five-day competition, the lightest weight divisions were contested, with medals available in the Female -42kg, Female -44kg, Male -45kg and Male -48kg categories.

Female -44kg

In the Female -44kg category finals, Maria Calderon of Costa Rica took on Thi Kim Ngan Ho of Vietnam. Both fighters started fast and both visited the mats in a clash, but then settled; the round ended 0-0. In the second, the taller Vietnamese girl landed a head kick, going three points up, ending the round 3-0. In the third, Calderon was desperately trying to land, but could just not get past Ho’s long and very versatile front leg, and lost another point on penalties. In the last 12 seconds, things got rough as the frustrated Calderon attacked and Ho went down outside the mats, losing two points for falling twice, and then a third time, but still ending it 5-2, taking gold and leaving Calderon with the silver.

Bronzes were won by Derya Esme of Turkey and Abigail Faye Valdez of the Philippines

Source: WTF

Read More

Philippines’ Ramirez defends ju-jitsu gold

photo (c) Peter Lucas

Danang, Vietnam, September 26, 2016: The rapid rise of ju-jitsu in Asia is noticeable by the wide variety of flags on display in the medal ceremonies. The Philippines are particularly happy with the growing profile of ju-jitsu, as Annie Ramirez won her second gold medal in the short history of the OCA’s Asian Beach Games at Bien Dong Park on Monday evening.

Two years ago in Phuket, Thailand, Annie took the women’s ne-waza (ground technique) -60kg title, but this time she competed at -55kg and was a comfortable 10-0 winner over Thailand’s Siramol Deepudsa in the final.

A large contingent of athletes and supporters from the Philippine Olympic Committee celebrated Annie’s victory – the second ju-jitsu gold medal for the team at Danang 2016, following Margarita Ochoa’s success at -45kg on Sunday. “I was aiming for gold when I came here, and this is my second time to win a gold medal at the Asian Beach Games,” said Annie, who is 25 and hails from Naga City in Bicol.

“There weren’t as many weight categories in Phuket two years ago so I competed at -60kg, but I feel I have defended my title.” A ju-jitsu student and teacher, Annie trains at the acclaimed Academia John Baylon – Clube de Ju-Jitsu Filipinas at Pasay City in Manila. 

She switched to ju-jitsu from judo five years ago and her hard work in the gym – two hours training in the morning and three hours in the evening – is producing golden results for the Philippines, as well as for her mentor, Professor John Baylon.

With the OCA’s 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in September 2017, and the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia, in August 2018, Annie has plenty to fight for in the near future.

Source: http://abg2016.com/congress-diary/philippines-ramirez-defends-ju-jitsu-gold

Read More

5th ASIAN Beach Games Team Philippines RESULTS

Gold - 2
Silver - 1
Bronze - 12

Read More

Vengeful Perlas Pilipinas rips Indonesia to move within a win of Seaba title

MALACCA, MALAYSIA - Payback time for Perlas Pilipinas.

The Filipinas beat Indonesia, 72-56, in the Seaba Women's Championship at the Bukit Serindit Indoor Stadium on Friday night to settle an old score against the team that beat them in last year's Southeast Asian Game. 

Allana Lim finished with a near double-double of 24 points and nine rebounds while Cindy Resultay contributed 15 to lead the Filipinas to the morale-boosting win ahead of their virtual championship showdown with Malaysia.

"They have this belief that they won against us in the SEA Games and they can beat us again. But we came prepared also. But it's payback time. We had the chance to win the gold, but we lost to Indonesia," said Perlas coach Pat Aquino.

Indonesia played its best game of the tournament against the Philippine but couldn't come no closer than eight points, 51-43, in the third period.

But baskets from Lim and a split from the free-throw line from Ambi Almazan pushed Perlas' lead back to 15, 68-53, with 4:11 left, all securing the Filipinas' fourth successive win.

The Philippines plays Malaysia in a make-or-break game on Saturday, with the Filipinas looking to win the gold medal for the first time in six years.

Overall, the Philippines out rebounded Indonesia, 56-37.

Source: Spin.ph

Read More

Rachel Anne Daquis named captain of PSL squad to Women's World Club meet

RACHEL Anne Daquis has been named team captain of the PSL Manila squad that will compete in the Women's Club World Championship set October 18 to 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 28-year old outside hitter was chosen over seven imports and six other local players, namely Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jaja Santiago, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Ces Molina and Jen Reyes.

"Title 'yung pagiging team captain pero para sa akin it's more on a responsibility as an ate sa kanila," said Daquis. "'Di ko tine-take 'yun as kaya ako captain kasi ako ang pinakamagaling."

Six of the seven imports have attended practice, with Stephanie Niemer and Lindsay Stalzer from the USA, Tichaya Boonlert of Thailand, Ekaterina Krivets of Russia, Yevgeniya Nyukalova of Ukraine and Yuri Fukuda of Japan suiting up.

Linda Morales from Puerto Rico skipped training as she has yet to recover from jet lag.

Daquis was a member of the Philippine team that competed in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Women's Club Championship last year.

"Syempre unang-una para sundin ka nila respeto din sa kanila ang ibibigay mo, pero hindi mo naman kailangan magpasunod ng imports, 'yung task mo is i-guide sila sa team," she said.

"'Di dahil team captain ka pagagalitan mo sila, hindi ganoon it's more of setting an example," she said.

Source: Mei-Lin Lozada of Spin.ph

Read More

Filipina jin Kirstie Alora sets sights on 2020 after bowing out of Rio Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Kirstie Elaine Alora was left in in tears after she exited the Olympic taekwondo competitions, ending the Philippine campaign in Rio.

But Alora says that the losses will serve as a lesson for her and fuel her to do better as she eyes a return in the Tokyo Olympics.

“Another sad moment na second chance ko na pero still, parang pinagkait sa akin. Siguro kailangan ko pa na ’wag itigil ’yung journey ko sa pagtataekwondo,” said Alora.

Alora lost in her first match against Maria Espinoza of Mexico, but got another shot in a repechage when Espinoza reached the finals of the women’s +67kg division.

She needed two wins to get the bronze medal, but got tripped on the first fight.

Going up against a taller Dislam, Alora gained a 5-4 lead in the final round with 20 seconds to play but the Moroccan landed shots to the body in the final seconds to take command.

In her final attempt to win the bout, Alora attempted a kick to the head that could have given her three points but the strike didn't register on the scoreboard and not even a video review could overturn it.

Alora said she had plans of retiring if she won a medal in Rio, but now she wants another shot.

“Instinct ko kasi is if magkamedal ako, maybe this is the last. I think may gusto pa si God sa akin na have a long journey for my taekwondo career,” said Alora.

“For this journey, maybe it’s God’s will na kung ano ’yung para sa akin, ayaw pa Niya ako huminto. Maybe gusto Niya ako maging Asian champion or world champion before maging Olympic champion,” said Alora.

Alora said she will have to work even harder for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I think kailangan ko pa mag-ensayo to get a good ranking kasi ’yung mga nakakalaban ko have a good standing. ’Yun talaga kailangan ko i-pursue na taasan ’yung ranking ko. I need to have a medal dun sa mga sasalihan ko. ’Yun ang magmomotivate sa akin na pag-igihan pa,” said Alora.

Source: Jerome Ascano of Spin.ph

Read More