The decorated Poomsae squad of Team Pilipinas competed in the 2018 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships from November 15 to 18 at the University of Taipei Gymnasium in Taipei, Taiwan.
After the four-day meet, the Philippines nabbed two silvers and four bronzes in the biennial meet.
The Men’s Over-30 team and Ernesto Guzman took home the silver medals.
The troika of JP Sabido, Ernesto Guzman, and Glenn Lava were able to defeat Spain and Iran to advance to the Final. However, the Koreans proved superior in the final stage, taking a 7.340 scoreline against the Philippines’ 7.090 to win gold.
In the Men’s Under-40 division, Guzman – a Team Pilipinas veteran – copped his second silver of the tourney. Guzman defeated Eduardo Valdebenito of Chile (7.330-6.910) in the opening round; Othman Boularas of Qatar in the Round of 16 (7.220-7.050); Ivan Kaic of Croatia in the quarters (7.310-6.990); and Spain’s Sam Meilan Fernandez in the semis (7.350-7.330) to advance to the finale.
However, Iranian Ali Salmani had a flawless run in the finals, taking a 7.660-7.500 decision as Guzman settled for bronze.
Bagging bronze are Pair Cadet’s King Alcairo and Jamiehannah Agaloos; Female Under-30’s Jocel Lyn Nibobla; Male Under-30 Team’s Dustin Mella, Raphael Mella, and Rodolfo Reyes Jr.; and Agaloos again in the Female Cadet division.
