6-8 GOLDS TARGET NG PINOY JINS SA SEAG

PUNTIRYA ni Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary-general Sung Chon Hong na maduplika ang pitong ginto, dalawang pilak at limang tanso na napanalunan noong 1991 Southeast Asian Games.

“That was the best finish of the Philippines in the SEA Games. I want our jins to duplicate it if not surpass in the 30th edition,” sabi ni Hong.

“It’s going to be tough because of the toughness of competition. With dedication, determination plus the will to win, we can do it like we did in 1991,” sabi pa ng 72-anyos na Korean na permanenteng naninirahan sa bansa.

Ayon kay Sung, target niya ang 6 hanggang 8 ginto at kumpiyansa siyang kaya itong makuha ng Pinoy jins.

“Modesty aside that is my target and I am confident they will do it because they have the skills, battle-tested and well-experienced and trained in Korea under a Korean coach,” sabi ni Hong.

“Also our men and women poomsae teams are strong capable to win the gold. They won bronze in the last Asian Games in Indonesia and I am confident they can do it,” ani Hong.

Noong 1991 edition, nanalo sina Ramil Abratique, Ulysses Marcelino, Walter Dean Vargas, Nelia Sy, Bea Lucero, Digne de Leon at Sharon Sowy ng da­lawang pilak at limang tanso.

Sinabi ni Hong na bibigyan niya ng mahabang exposures sa labas ng bansa ang Pinoy jins at muling mag-eensayo sa Korea para  mahasa nang husto at lumawak ang karanasan bago sumabak sa SEA Games na gaganapin sa bansa sa Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 11.

Pangungunhan nina Brazil Olympian at Asian Games campaigner Kirstie Alora, Pauline Lopez, Filipino-American Samuel Harper Morrison, Chris-topher Uy, Jerom Dominguez, Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Justine Mella, Rina Babanto, Juvenile  Faye Crisostomo at Janna Dominque Oliva ang kampana ng mga Pinoy. CLYDE MARIANO