Filipino jins chase Asian junior, cadet glory

World Junior veterans Ethan Jervey Dayne Chavez and Rhiyanne Agatha Shay Cadilena banner the SMART/MVPSF Philippine team that will see action in the 2025 Asian Junior, Cadet Taekwondo Championships from 24 July to 1 August in Kuching, Malaysia.

Also part of the strong 44-player cast is Samantha Gley Duria who saw action in last year’s World Cadet Championships as well as New Face of the Year standouts Nuel Kyle Reyes and Zian Andree Tabita.

Chavez will vie in the Juniors’ -55kg category and Cadilena in -46kg while Duria in Cadets’ 41kg. Both Reyes and Tabita will compete -33kg and Reyes in 41kg.

Also fancied to figure prominently, according to head of delegation and Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary general Rocky Samson are poomsae bets Dean Darnet Venerable, Adrian Joseph Gajasan III, Juliana Mykhail Candeleria and Juliana Martha Uy.

Other members of the national team which is backed by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO are Dondy Santillan, Jr. (-37kg), Achim Jeconiah Resimo (-45kg), Mark Julian Santiago (-49kg), Jian Axl Khloe Liyad (-53kg), Aamir Jolo Narido (-57kg), and Justin Martin Omayan (-61kg), who are all competing in free sparring.

Apart from Duria, also in female’s cadet team are Sophia Marie Bautista (-44kg), Reese Emmanuelle Nicomedes (-51kg), and Cheska Paula Banawa (51kg.), while leading the junior male squad are Joshua Aaron Erece (45kg), Juan Victorio Yamat (-48kg), Felix Ace Perez (-51kg), Matt Rejhan Lavestre (-59kg), Chuck Aeron Alariao (-63kg), Khadryck Gy Costina (-68kg), and Lhord Jared Patrick Pasaron (-73kg).

They will be up against equally formidable jins from 34 other countries, including Korea, Iran, Jordan, Chinese Taipei, China, Cambodia and Iraq.

Also taking part in the week-long event are Ryzza Cadilena (-42kg), Felicity Jana Castel (-44kg), Quynh Louise Edillor (-49kg), Alexis Mactal (-52kg), and Aretha Pualengco (-55kg) while the lone Para athlete is Tokyo and Paris Paralympics veteran Allain Keanu Ganapin.

Comprising the poomsae squads (junior and cadet) are Clint HarronMagracia, Jaynazh Angelo Jamias, Xian Gabriel Gamata, Chezka Nicolette Luzadas, Joniya Yua Ysabelle Obiacoro, Clarisse Louise Gallego, Austine Zulaika Macaraeg, Alfonzo Gabriel Tormon, Caleb Angelo Calde, Marcus Jared Maquiraya, Jose Lucas Llarena, Acey Kiana Oglayon and Casey de Leon.

Members of the coaching staff are Paul Romero, Kirstie Elaine Alora, Rani Ann Ortega, Jeordan Dominguez, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr. and Gershon Bautista.