By Adrian Stewart Co

Athletes from the Western Visayas recently medaled as part of Team Philippines during the 2019 ASEAN Taekwondo Championships at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
Julio Miguel Zapata and Leigh Andee Rodriguez of Negros Taekwondo Union-Tigers New Gen each took home gold. Both triumphed in the kyorugi event, which is a demonstration of sparring, with Zapata winning in the cadet boys’ finweight division and Rodriguez in the girls’ bantamweight category. Also capturing gold was Ilongga Cindy Joy Diasnes of the A. Diasnes Taekwondo Gym, who won in the poomsae events, which are comprised of basic attack and defense motions associated with the martial art. She, alongside Faustina Marie Anicete and Laeia Simoune Soria, won in the team competition.
Diasnes also won silver in the junior individual girls poomsae event.
Mikee Rose Regala of Capiz won gold in the recognized team female U30 competition with Clare Therese Gaston and Angelica Joyce Gaw; while Allyah Dominique Eusalan, also from Capiz, won gold in the women’s light heavyweight kyorugi event.
Meanwhile, Negrense Mary Angeline Alcantara won bronze in the women’s featherweight kyorugi contest.
Team Philippines was named overall champion after winning a total 96 medals, including 34 gold, 32 silver, and 30 bronze medals./ASC, WDJ