UFC gym outclasses rivals in TKD tilt

UFC Martial Arts bagged 23 gold medals in the individual events to top the 1st Itogon Tae Kwon Do Friendship Games held during the weekend besting nine other gyms participating in the one-day tournament.

UFC edged Bravehearts Baguio with 17 gold medals to settle for second place while Ucab and Beckel snatched nine gold medals each to salvage third place with Bravehearts La Trinidad scoring seven gold medals for a decent third runner-up finish.

Winners in the adult category of the Poomsae event in the white belt division include Michelle McKay (gold), Jhoana Marie Padaco (silver), Novelyn Padaco (bronze) while the yellow belt winners are Cheryll May Wandag, Michelle Damian and Dante Miguel for the gold, silver and bronze medals.

In the grade school poomsae, medalist in group 1 are Sue Jean Canutab (gold), Joseph Cristopher Valdez (silver) Giselle Ilao and Anton Jerimiah Lingan who both settled for bronze while Group 2 winners are Kassandra Gaceta for the gold, Norica Legaspi winning the silver medal while Ellen Joy Sebiano and Sheantine Pasiteng both salvaged bronze.

The grade school kyurogi gold medalist include Yvan Dela Cruz, Ronthor Soriano, Kyle Laurence Suyam, Jan Gregory Asiong, Jared Malecdan, Ray John Caccam, Jonathan Balilis, Marcuz Aquino, Jason Castro, Russel Ray Arugay, Frednny Tombali, Colline Abanga, Inor Soriano, and Cliffton Salimbuat.

Also winning the gold medal in the boys kyurogi are Izeck Brian Edwin, John Carlo Aguila, Dale Dulfo, Carlo Tormo, Inigo Dela Feunte, Casey Abanga, Freddie Dongsino, Idan Josh Pagaduan, Rendwick Bangit, Mark Tanicala, Roman Arugay, Granville Pagaduan, Myles Dusty Pascual, Choi Yu Sung, and Nicogarth Tiotioen.

The long list also include Dave Thapa, RD Sanchez, Adanson Borja, Karl Ilao, Melvin Solimen, Bremver Lee Buligen, Ronald Demesa, Romeo Buslong, John Kim Pasion, Arvin Pesic, Jesle Griño, Darren Nape-ek, Martin Nape-ek, Barny Donga-el, John Rey Chigway, Lance Alvin Asejo, Harvey Cancho, John Christian Madalo, Jude Harvey Mendoza, Christopher Morla and John Khenrhee Bango.

Gold medalist in the distaff side are Girls Phyeony Quezon, Chyle Umaybas, Avery Dilla,Gie Linggon, Mariah Co, Kirsten Cate Akiapat, Raimee Rose Arugay, Jannine Mat-an, Arlene Abing, Rafiel Selmo, Bianca De Leon and Ayesha Alilis.

Other gold medalist in the girls division include Jessa Milo, Jane Nicole Puguon, Shaira Gayudan, Creishna Gayudan, Janine Mapalo, Maja Grupo, Jessica Guinor, Alyssa Liwayan, Juracel Bantasan, Trisha Mae Banasan, Jenny Chigway, Alexis Valenciano, Josea Dizon, Chelsea Dumlao and Shaira Valencio.

Some 180 tae kwon do jins joined the one day event that gave away 77 gold medals in the event in partnership with Brave Hearts Martial Arts Training Institute and the municipality of Itogon.