Two Negros Taekwondo Union Tigers brought home the gold from the Smart Carlos Palanca Jr. National Memorial Taekwondo Championship held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Metro Manila.

NTU mentor and head coach Jim Jim Chua said Irene Therese Bermejo of Trinity Christian School won the gold in the pin weight division (42 kgs. below), wile Camille Miraflores of St. Scholastica’s Academy topped the grade school girls advanced category (128-136 cm.).

Bermejo captured the gold by outclassing the current junior national team player and ASEAN Taekwondo gold medalist Inna Dionisio in the final showdown, Chua said.

“It was a tough match as Dionisio showed the moves that earned her the gold in ASEAN, but Therese did not only manage to hold her ground but was able to outclass her opponent,” the NTU Tiger mentor said.

It was the second time for Bermejo to beat Dionisio after she also snatched the gold in Batang Pinoy Natioal Championship in Naga City last year.

With the victory, Bermejo will be heading to London as one of RP’s top 10 players who were tapped to attend a seminar workshop in August.

The international gab, Chua said, will further hone her skills in preparation for national and international competitions.

Meanwhile, Miraflores displayed her outstanding skills against Lingayen-Milo National Little Olympics champion Joanna Pauline Jubelag of General Santos to win the gold in her weight category.

The SSA standout was unbeaten in her division and showed impressive moves that earned her the gold, Chua said.

With their victory, the young NTU Tigers automatically gain a slot to the February 19 National Team Selection to be held at the Philippine Taekwondo Association Central Gym at Rizal Memorial Complex in Vito Cruz, Metro Manila.

Only gold and silver medalists in the Smart CPJ National Tournament and the current members of the national team are qualified to participate in this event, Chua said.*NAB

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