Liceo student hospitalized after taekwondo match

Friday, October 7, 2011

AS USUAL, the Prisaa jins dominated most of the final events in taekwondo competition of the 2011 Cagayan de Oro Quadrangular Meet on Friday.

But one perfect kick from a Cosaa bet almost overshadowed the dominance by the gritty disciples of Arsenal Taekwondo Center that spearheaded the Prisaa campaign in the annual meet for the top student athletes from the city's private and public schools.

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Worse, that well-delivered "jumping turning long side kick" by Kenneth Porras of Merry Child School that hit right smack to the right side of Prince Tiu's face had eventually sent the Liceo de Cagayan University's fourth-year high school student to Polymedic hospital for immediate treatment.

"We're just hoping nga walay possible damage sa iyang ulo. That kind of attack was one of the most dangerous hits in taekwondo sport. There was even some cases of mortality in the past, though dili sa atong lugar nahitabo," Prisaa taekwondo coach George Arsenal told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Resting at the bench of City Central's covered court after his second-round loss by knockout, the good-looking Tiu -- who was accompanied by a stunning female friend in the fight venue -- had been advised to undergo CT-scan after he keeps on vomiting.

"Sakit akong ngipon labad akong ulo," Tiu told his comforters.

His parents, Tiu said, were not in Cagayan de Oro.

"Prince is a talented player, but I think he lacks serious preparation kay bag-o lang siya nibalik sa among gym about one week before the Prisaa games. Auntie lang iyang guardian sa balay kay mora'g tua sa Bukidnon, Manila o abroad ba `to iyang parents. Kalit-kalit ning iyang pag-apil sa competition kay gadula pud `ning bataa og football," added Arsenal.

Despite this, the gutsy Tiu was the aggressor all through his matches and even needed just one round to eliminate his semifinal opponent before facing Porras.

Showing the same aggressive stance against Porras was probably Tiu's biggest mistake.

Being in last year's Palaro in Dapitan, Porras is obviously an experienced fighter who valued grace and timing in his fighting armory.

The moment when Tiu lunged in for a miscalculated assault, Porras swiftly soared for a turning-long jump and delivered the booming kick that shocked even the most grizzled taekwondo fan around.