CEBUANO jins once again proved that they are some of the best in the country after taking home a silver and five bronze medals in the 14th Asean Taekwondo Federation (ATF) Championships last Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Parañaque City.

Out of the five Cebuanos only one walked away without a medal.

Rodito Sinubojan won a silver medal in sparring, Aidaine Laxa won two bronzes in the individual and team poomsae events, former world champion Rinna Babanto also walked away with two bronze medals in the individual and team poomsae events, while McAvynger Alob snagged a bronze medal in the Freestyle poomsae event.

“Everybody benefits from this, especially the rookies. Rodito Sinubojan is a case in point. Only 13 years old, it’s not just his first time to compete in an international competition but he’s also a rookie as far as competing in a Manila tournament is concerned,” Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) Region 7 head Tony del Prado told SunStar Cebu. “Certainly, Aidaine has exceeded expectations. Her year of training under national coach Rani Ortega at UST (University of Sto. Tomas), where she’s a senior high student, bode well for her. Rodito, on the other hand, was the surprise. A last minute entry, he only knew of his inclusion in the lineup last April 17. And all of a sudden he’s an ATF Silver medalist.”

Del Prado also expected both veterans of international competitions, Alob and Babanto, to win medals in the tournament.

“Mac Alob was expected to win a medal in the team event. As for Rinna, we expect her to peak just in time for the SEA Games,” said del Prado.

The ATF also served as a scouting ground for the national coaches for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The SEA Games will be hosted by the Philippines on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

The other countries that will participate in the SEA Games are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. (RSC)