CAGAYAN DE OR CITY — Pain, injuries and packed school schedules did not stop Cagayan de Oro’s taekwondo athletes from making a strong mark in South Korea, bringing home 30 medals for the Philippines at the 11th MBC International Open Taekwondo Championships.

The Cagayan de Oro Taekwondo Main Gym team won 20 gold, seven silver and three bronze medals during the Aug. 6-10 tournament at the Geumsan General Gymnasium, which drew athletes from 32 countries.

For four-time gold medalist Cielo Marie E. Apag, the victory was especially meaningful after battling injuries before the competition.

The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines student swept four events: B-League Senior Kyorugi Under 62kg, Individual Poomsae, Pair Poomsae and Team Poomsae.

Apag said she and her coach planned to attack aggressively from the start of her final sparring match, using an early high-impact kick to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm.

When the final timer sounded, Apag said the hardships she endured made the victory even more rewarding.

“It was all worth it,” she said.

She said the physical pain and challenge of recovering from injuries became her motivation whenever doubt set in.

The Philippine delegation was led by Head Instructor Vincent Cecil M. Orcales, who received a Letter of Commendation from the president of Kukkiwon for his service to taekwondo.

His son, Elrique Vinzo A. Orcales, served as team coach and took on a full international coaching role for the first time after nearly a decade of competing.

Elrique said the athletes showed they could execute their game plans despite the different challenges in each match.

“Overall, I am proud of how our team competed,” he said.

But he said the medals tell only part of the story.

Behind the international performance were athletes who had to balance training with academics, maintain discipline and make sacrifices to prepare for competition.

“What the audience sees on competition day is only a small part of the journey,” Orcales said.

He said the experience also gave him lessons in game planning, athlete preparation and team management that he plans to bring back to Cagayan de Oro.

Other CDO medalists included Lorenzo Josh A. Orcales, with two golds and a bronze, and Billyboy Pabayo Jr., with a gold and a silver.

In the junior divisions, Nazneen Vera Palahang and Riareese Zoe A. Orcales each won two golds and a silver, while Claudyse Louisse Butaslac secured a gold, silver and bronze.

In the youth events, Maria Sofia B. Mondico and Rhovianne Christine B. Patana each earned three golds and a silver. Mark Kyle M. Laniton added two golds, a silver and a bronze.

The 30-medal haul gives Cagayan de Oro’s young martial artists another international milestone — and a reminder that their success was built not only on competition day, but through months of training, discipline and sacrifice. (Dave Achondo, Editorial Assistant)