Tachiana Mangin made a dazzling debut, claiming the women’s -49 kg gold in taekwondo at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday at the Fashion Island Shopping Mall in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fresh from her World Juniors victory in the same weight class last year, the senior high school student-athlete from the University of Santo Tomas showcased her talent, defeating hometown favorite Kamonchanok Seeken in two straight rounds.
Mangin’s triumph marked the Philippines’ second gold in taekwondo, following Kobe Macario’s win in the men’s freestyle individual poomsae last Wednesday — and she did it in emphatic fashion.
(C) POC Media
The 18-year-old standout dominated Phonnapha Djaniguian of Laos in the quarterfinals before dispatching Winda Dwi Putri of Indonesia in the semifinals, winning both matches in just two rounds. Mangin completed her competition sweep unscathed in six rounds.
UAAP Season 86 MVP Nusair Lao and Season 85 top jin Laila Delo added two more silver medals after falling in their respective finals.
Thailand’s Banlung Tubtimdang edged out Lao, 2-0, in the men’s -68 kg final, while Vietnam’s Thi Khiem Bac defeated Delo, 2-0.
The Philippines’ kyorugi team now boasts a medal haul of one gold, three silvers, and one bronze, including Clarence Sarza’s silver in the women’s -46 kg and Kurt Barbosa’s bronze in the men’s -54 kg, both secured last Thursday.
