By Andrei M. Barrantes

Far Eastern University (FEU) Jins and Lady Jins hauled medals in the Taekwondo Poomsae competition of the recent Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games (PNG) 2023 last December 21-22 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. 

Green-and-gold Jin Dims Diaz won gold for Bacolod City in the senior team male’s division.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, the Tamaraw rookie expressed his gratitude to his hometown and school for supporting his victory.

“Ang masasabi ko lang po sa performance ko this PNG ay naging prepared din po ako sa laro kahit one week lang ‘yung preparation namin ng team and thankful din ako sa probinsya ko dahil kung ‘di sa kanila ay di rin ako makakalaro and ‘di rin namin makakamit ‘yung gold medal. Salamat din po sa FEU dahil sa walang sawa na supporta sa amin (All I can say about my performance this PNG is that I was prepared to compete even with only one week of training so I am thankful for my province because if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be able to compete and  win. I also want to thank FEU for their non-stop support for us),” he said.

Meanwhile, Lady Jins Jasel Ann Salang and Christine Joyce Nudo competed in the Poomsae senior team female’s division for Pasig City, securing silver medals each.

Salang spoke briefly on the difference of the competition landscape in comparison to their recent run at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

“Siguro ‘yung difference ng PNG sa UAAP games is sa UAAP, eight best schools lang ang magkakalaban then sa PNG is sobrang daming LGUs (local government units) talaga so mas nakakakaba and mas more challenging kasi nandun din ‘yung mga nakakalaban namin sa UAAP (I think the difference between PNG and the UAAP is that the UAAP only hosts eight schools while PNG has so many LGUs so it’s much more challenging and the pressure is higher because we also compete against those we encounter in the UAAP)” she added. 

Tamaraw Jins Caryl Fernandico and Jay Casas also finished as bronze medalists for the senior individual female and senior team male divisions, respectively. They competed representing Baybay City.

(Photo courtesy of Negros Taekwondo Union-Tigers New Gen Facebook Page)