Dominguez, PH jins compete in Vietnam

CORDILLERAN taekwondo jin Jeordan Dominguez will join 29 others in Vietnam as they compete for the 2nd Asian Open Taekwondo Championships which will take place on August 1518 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Less than four months before their anticipated campaign in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the country's top taekwondo bets are all gearing up for the international competition before the biennial showpiece.

Fresh from their successful stint at the Chuncheon Korea Open last month, the Philippine Taekwondo Assocation will send 29 national jins, 12 in Poomsae, and 17 in Kyorugi as they compete against their counterparts from 34 other Asian nations.

First to see action are the Poomsae Team on August 15. Korea Open gold medalists Darius Venerable, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., Patrick Perez, Rico Mella, Jocel Ninobla, Aidaine Laxa and Rinna Babanto, and Asian Games bronze medalists Dustin Mella, Dominguez, Juvenile Crisostomo and Nikki Oliva, as well as Marvin Mori will be vying for the medal finishes in the Under 30 Recognized Men's and Women's Individual & Team, and Mixed Pair and Freestyle Men's and Women's Individual, and Mixed Team events.

Meanwhile in Kyorugi, Korea Open podium finishers Kurt Pajuelas (M -64 kg), Dex Ian Chavez (M -58 kg) and Veronica Garces (F -46 kg) and veterans Samuel Morrison (M -80 kg), Arven Alcantara (M -68 kg), Pauline Lopez (F -57 kg) and Kirstie Alora (F +73 kg) will lead the Kyorugi team in the quest to snatch the gold medal in the Senior Kyorugi competitions on August 16.

Completing the cast are Kurt Barbosa (M -54 kg), Dave Cea (M -73 kg), Israel Cantos (M -87 kg), Kristopher Uy (M +87 kg), Rheza and Rhezie Aragon (F -49 kg & F -53 kg), Realis Tabiando (F -62 kg), Darlene Arpon (F -67 kg) and Laila Delo (F -73 kg).