Garces bags gold in Asian meet

NICA Garces continues to impress in the international stage after winning a gold medal in the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Garces won the gold medal in the 46-kg weight class in the Senior Women’s division of the Kyorugi last Friday, Aug. 16, 2019.

“(This is) another breakthrough after the silver in last month’s very tough Korea Open,” Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) 7 chairman Tony del Prado told SunStar Cebu.

Garces is looking to impress and is hoping to get a spot in the Philippine National Taekwondo Team in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, 2019 here in the Philippines.

“It somehow solidifies her quest for a spot in the SEA Games. But the final lineup will only be released a month before the opening. In the meantime, Nica will have to be relentless in training while praying for good health,” said del Prado.

On the other hand, decorated jin Rinna Babanto and promising youngster Aidaine Laxa, both Cebuanas, won a bronze medal in the Women’s Recognized Team Under-30 Poomsae along with Jocel Lyn Ninobla.

According to del Prado, Babanto and Laxa are in the mix as possible members in the poomsae team for the SEA Games.

“They’ve been winning medals consistently in their last couple of international competitions. Again, they have made a strong case for inclusion in the Philippines’ SEA Games lineup. Their dedication to training and their health in the next couple of months will be the key,” said del Prado. /