CAGAYAN de Oro City — Koronadal student-athletes hauled four gold, three silver and five bronze medals at the 2026 SMART MVPSF R12A Regional Inter-School Taekwondo Championships on Aug. 29 in Tacurong City.
Representing the City Government of Koronadal, athletes from Koronadal Defenders Taekwondo Central Gym competed against student-athletes from across Region 12 at the Tacurong City Cultural and Sports Center.
In kyorugi (sparring), Mc. Harrie T. Alave, Francis Hart Keichiro T. Igot, Xyreine Zyle Labadia, and Adrian Rey A. Laplana won gold medals in their respective divisions.
Defencious Dianne S. Anayatin, Markele Yoshi Bobis, and Jazz Leiy Rhianne Molino earned silver, while Christian Dave Carbon, Mikaela Nicole Carbon, and Ralph Khalifa Almirol took bronze.
In poomsae, Ceazarine Janz V. Adorico and Mikaela Nicole Carbon added two more bronze medals.
Head Coach Arnel T. Castillo credited the team's success to disciplined training and improved competition strategies, including scoring techniques, sparring systems and court management.
“Active participation in rigorous training of advanced players... along with attending lectures on time and court management, fighting strategies, and adopting new technical systems during sparring, were key factors,” Castillo said.
For Alave, who balances schoolwork at Koronadal National Comprehensive High School with evening training, a head kick helped him secure the winning points in his championship bout.
“A day before Tournament iniisip ko na dapat makuha ang Gold,” Alave said. “Kaya sa final ginawa ko ang aking best, at ang aking technique para makasiguro sa score ay ang head kick.”
Laplana said staying calm and trusting his training helped him win his final match.
“I tried to stay calm and focused,” he said. “I knew that I had trained hard for this competition, so I trusted my training and listened to my coach.”
The team will continue its regular training program as the athletes prepare for upcoming regional and national selections.
