TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- Kelly Anne Lada of Davao City captured one gold medal in the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships taekwondo tournament held at the New Tagum City Hall Monday, November 28.
Lada, a 14-year-old Emar Human Environmental College student, outlasted Kaye Laborte of Cagayan de Oro City in the finals of the girls cadet division after beating Baguio City bet Jame Emmanuel Macasaet in the semis.
Lada also eked out victories over Keith Dawn Fransisco of Kabacan, North Cotabato, Riell Navarro of Bulacan City and Bukidnon player Princess Dionesha Chavez in the elimination round.
Lada, in an interview with SunStar Davao, said she has been training with Kaizen Taekwondo Club under the supervision of Coach Artuto “Jong” Lalican Jr.
She added feeling proud and thankful while receiving the gold, surpassing her silver finish last year.
“I really wanted to have a gold, that’s why I trained hard for this,” the brown-belter said, adding that her supportive parents motivate her to excel.
Lalican, in a separate interview, said, “Marami silang black belters nakalaban pero sabi ko wag nyong isipin ang belt, just do your best for the city.” He also said that there were too many entries in taekwondo and most of city's jins are first-timers in Batang Pinoy nationals.
He was also proud of Lada who never gave up and fought bigger opponents. (ABM)