Sports: Chua, Bermejo Win Gold Medals in the 6th World Taekwondo Tilt in Korea
Negros Tigers Union (NTU) Coach Jim Jim Chua and one of his protegees, Irene Therese Bermejo won their respective matches to give the Philippines gold medals in the 6th World Taekwondo Culture Expo and 4th Taekwondo Championship at Jeollabuk-do, Korea scheduled July 6 to 11, 2012.
Irene Therese Bermejo with Coach Jimjim Chua and Mr. Ricky Santiago of the
Philippine Taekwondo Association.*
Chua survived a serious right leg injury to defeat his Indian opponent, 6-2 score in the 35-44-year old category.
Bermejo, on the other hand, defeated a member of the junior US national Team, Angelica Guting, 19-15, overcoming Guting’s 5 points lead in the last 40 seconds by knocking her down with a powerful axe and two roundhouse kicks in the A-Match Advance Division.
Bermejo is leading in the first round, 3-1, but Guting got back, 9-6 in the second round. Bermejo ended up, 19-15 after her knockdown of Guting. Bermejo denied Guting of the medal while her other teammates almost won all their respective matches.
Earlier, Bermejo scored 25-5 against a member of Australian National Team in a Referee-Stop-Match, after scoring 12 or more points against her opponent.
Bermejo is the only player in the team Philippines who joined the A-Match division Kyorugi (sparring). Only caliber players with national team record can join in the A-Match advance division. Forty five countries have joined the tournament participated by about 1500 players. The Philippines sent 36 players from grade school, juniors and seniors including five playing coaches.* (CMGarde)
