Jins target Korean training camp

The Philippine national taekwondo team is currently training in two different venues — as its usual venue — the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is undergoing renovation

Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) secretary general Rocky Samson told DAILY TRIBUNE the Filipino jins alternate between the badminton center in the Rizal venue and at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

“I understand that there could be confusion due to changing venues. That’s why we are fixing their schedules,” Samson said.

“I think the renovations will be done by next year. They plan to finish it this year.”

One of the PTA’s plans for this year is to hold a training camp in South Korea in the middle of the year to prepare for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December.

Samson said they are identifying potential jins not only for the SEA Games but also for future tournaments such as the 20th Asian Games in Japan and the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.

Laila Delo, Dave Cea, world champion Tachiana Mangin, and Tokyo Olympian Kurt Barbosa are expected to banner the country in 2025.

“Usually the team stays there for another two weeks to be with the Koreans. This will be sometime in June or July,” Samson said.

“We are already trying to identify potential players. So if we are allowed to put in four players, we are identifying six to eight players that could start for LA 2028.”