By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Taekwondo jins from Western Visayas (WV) played a vital part in the region’s runner-up finish in Palarong Pambansa 2023, which made its return after four years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jean Durana, a native of Negros Occidental but is now based in Antique, is among the gold medal contributors for the Blue Barons after topping the kyorugi welterweight division.

Ilonggo Justine James Diasnes of the A. Diasnes Taekwondo Gym also added to the gold haul by ruling the secondary boys kyorugi lightweight category.

Feri Carmel Perez also clinched a gold medal for the Region 6 delegation as she prevailed over her opponents in the secondary girls kyorugi flyweight category.

Meanwhile, Ilonggas Elizabeth Marie Borres, Mariel Angela Siscar and Julianna Martha Uy contributed a silver medal in the secondary girls team poomsae event.

The Iloilo City-based pair of Jesseray Lucas Frantilla and Mariel Angela Siscar also ended runner-up in the mixed pair poomsae, while Antiqueño Scott Ashton Demafiles also had a silver in the individual poomsae elementary category.

WV also bagged silvers from Cyd Edryc Esmaña in secondary boys individual poomsae and secondary mixed pair, while Uy won a bronze medal from team poomsae and in secondary girls individual poomsae.

Also with silver medals for the WV delegation are Sophia Marie Bautista (elementary girls group 3), Felix Ace Perez (secondary boys flyweight) and Kyle Chin (secondary boys featherweight), all from Iloilo City.

The delegation also wound up their campaign with three bronze medals, led by Negrense Joshua Emmanuel Deita in the secondary boys kyorugi open weight category.

Iloilo’s Mary Noelle Alim and Neilin Jo Samson also finished with bronze medals each in the secondary girls bantamweight and welterweight, respectively./ASC, WDJ