Barbosa, Phl jins seek Paris berths

Tokyo Olympian Kurt Bryan Barbosa will banner the Philippine team that will see action in the 2024 Asia Qualification Tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games set from 15 to 17 March in Tai'an City, China.

The Philippine Taekwondo Association believes the members of the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation national squad — 3 males and 2 females — have what it takes to go deep owing to a long and rigid training for a change to compete in the global showpiece slated on 26 July to 11 August.

Barbosa is out for redemption after a valiant but failed bid not only in the Tokyo Games but also in last year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Apart from Barbosa who will vie in the -58kg., other members of the PH team backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission are Asian Games veteran Arven Alcantara (68kg.), Tachiana Keizha Mangin (-49kg), and Baby Jessica Canabal (-57kg).

Allain Keanu Ganapin is the country's lone para athlete and will be competing in the K44 (-80kg.)

The national team will be headed by Raul Samson while the coaches are Carlos Jose Padilla V, Christian Al Dela Cruz and Gershon Bautista.

Traditional powerhouses like Iran, Japan, Taipei, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Thailand are among the 35 countries taking part in the prestigious event offering slots to the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.