The Philippine Tae kwon do Association (PTA) is sending 13 athletes to the 2013 World Tae kwon do Championships scheduled on July 15 to 21 in Puebla, Mexico.
Reigning Southeast Asian Games champions John Paul Lizardo and Kirstie Elaine Alora will be leading the country’s campaign in the world meet that is expected to draw more than 100 participating countries.
Lizardo competes in the men’s -54-kilogram division while Alora sees action in the women’s -73 kg. category.
Also vying for honors are Keno Anthony Mendoza (-58 kg), Paul Romero (-63 kg), Gerson Bautista (-68 kg), Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-74 kg), Christian Al Dela Cruz (-90 kg) and Kristopher Robert Uy (-87 kg) in the men’s class; and Korina Paladin (-46 kg), Nicole Abigail Cham (-49 kg), Pauline Louise Lopez (-53 kg), and Jade Zafra (-57 kg), Jane Rafaelle Narra (-67 kg) in the women’s side.
PTA Chief Sun Chong Hong joins the delegation along with team manager Victor Emmanuel Veneracion, men’s team coach Roberto Cruz and women’s team coach Dindo Simpao.
Besides the Philippines, other countries that already confirmed attendance are powerhouse South Korea, China, France, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese Taipei and the United States.