TOKYO Olympian Kurt Bryan Barbosa will lead an 8-man Smart/MVP Sports Foundation Philippine taekwondo team vying for pride and glory against the best and toughest fighters in the world in the 2022 World Taekwondo Championships on Nov. 13-20 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The pride of National University and one-time Most Valuable Player in the UAAP, Barbosa, the first Filipino taekwondo bet who made it to the pandemic-delayed Olympics in Japan last year since Tshomlee Go in 2008, will go into action armed with much better preparations and loads of experience.
“Naghanda po kami ng todo para dito. Halos dalawang buwan din po kaming nag-training sa Korea para mabawi ‘yung dalawang taong pahinga dahil sa pandemic. Babawi po ako dito,” said Barbosa, 22, who lost in the round-of-64 in the men’s finweight class in Tokyo.
Joining him in the prestigious competition that lured participants from more than 100 countries such as top contender Korea, China, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese Taipei and US, are fellow 2018 Manila Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Dave Cea (-74kg), Laila Delo (-67kg), Baby Jessica Canabal (-53kg), Joseph Chua (63kg), and Alfritz Arevalo (-68kg).
Raul Romero and Carlos Jose Padilla will be the coaches, Raul Samson is the team manager while former senator Nikki Coseteng heads the delegation.
“This tournament is important for our athletes as they try to earn points to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Naka-programa na sa amin ‘yung mga tournaments na makatutulong sa atin pagdating sa point system,” said Samson.
