CAGAYAN de Oro student-athletes brought home three gold medals after delivering strong performances at the National Taekwondo Interschool Competition at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Representing Merry Child School and Invictus Taekwondo Gym, the CDO delegation competed against school-based athletes from across the country in the two-day tournament.
Brown belt Khate Trixie Bacor won four straight matches to capture gold in her sparring division.
Teammates Ehjay Ezekiel Fabria and Cris Justine Fabria also topped their respective divisions to give the CDO team two more gold medals.
In poomsae, Daryn Syble Orocay placed seventh among 32 competitors in the standard category and fifth among 15 entries in freestyle.
Other CDO qualifiers were Miko Tambiling, Tristan Cadampong, King Agpaoa, Helfort Jabien, Miguel Lacasan, and Mia Felisse J. Acebedo, who also advanced to the national competition.
Coach Mac Porras credited the team's performance to consistent training, discipline and mental preparation.
“Ang gi-focus namo is consistency and discipline,” Porras said, noting that the athletes trained every morning for conditioning and every afternoon for technical sparring.
He said he also trained the athletes to handle pressure by treating each match as part of their training.
Bacor said following her coach's advice helped her overcome her nerves during the competition.
“To be honest po, kinakabahan ko sa first match,” she said. “Pero gi-ingon ni Coach Mac sa akoa na ‘just do your training.’ So kada round, isa-isa lang. Focus lang ko sa game plan.”
Bacor said representing Cagayan de Oro, Merry Child School and Invictus Taekwondo Gym motivated her to fight for gold.
Porras said the team will maintain its training program and strengthen its grassroots development efforts as it prepares for upcoming competitions.
