Far Eastern University (FEU) Jins and Lady Jins claimed four individual awards in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Senior Men and Women’s Taekwondo tournament held at the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City last December 14 and 15.

The men’s team finished their stint in the Final Four with a 2-3 standing including three podium individual awards in men’s finweight with Radiz Navidad (2-3), men’s lightweight (under-74) with Jemuel Rendora (4-1), and men’s welterweight with Hedwig Joezer Yap (3-2).

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, silver medalist Jemuel Rendora shared that there was a mixture of emotions upon clinching a podium finish for the green-and-gold squad.

“Actually, mixed emotions ‘yung pagkapanalo ko masaya and thankful kay God na nakuha ko ‘yung silver pero at the same time ang goal ko kasi is gold medal. Pero alam ko naman kasi sa sarili ko na hindi enough ‘yung preparation ko kaya sinabi ko na kung ano ibibigay sakin ni God ‘yun ‘yung deserve para sa sarili ko (Actually, mixed emotions when I won, happy and grateful to God that I got the silver but at the same time my goal is a Gold medal. But I knew from myself that my preparation was not enough so I told myself that what God will give me is what I deserve),” Rendora said.

Meanwhile, Morayta-based Lady Jin Czarina Mae Danganan brought home a bronze medal in the lightweight division as the FEU women’s team capped off the season at fifth place with a 1-4 win-loss card.

During the post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Head Coach Paul Romero acknowledged the improvements of the team members after the stint in the collegiate tourney. 

“After ilang years na bumalik ang UAAP, nag-improve naman lahat… Ang improvement is madaming nag-podium na individual (After a few years the UAAP came back, everything improved… The improvement now is we have many individual podiums),” he stated.

The team is looking forward to next season’s stronger lineup as rookies coming from FEU Diliman will be eligible to play for the senior’s team next year.

-Ma. Katlene R. Angcanan

(Photo by Ralph Mari Castro/FEU Advocate)