TABUK CITY, Kalinga – More than 400 young taekwondo practitioners from Tabuk City and nearby provinces, including Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao, showcased their skills during the 2025 Matagoan Regional New Face Taekwondo Championship held in Tabuk City.
Participants, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, competed in sparring (kyorugi), patterns (poomsae), and speed kicking.
According to Engr. Jeffry Ysmael, although Tabuk belongs to the Cordillera Administrative Region, it aligns with Region II during tournaments due to its distance from the regional center.
Ysmael explained that while kyorugi and poomsae are the main events in most tournaments, speed kicking was retained in this competition even after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, as it helps children who are still hesitant to spar gain confidence and experience.
In his message, Regional Management Committee Chairman Arnel Gamata encouraged all participants to practice sportsmanship, reminding them that they are already winners for stepping onto the mat.
He also highlighted the economic benefits of hosting large sports events, noting that participants, along with their families, contribute to the local economy by staying in hotels and dining in local establishments, thereby supporting the tourism and business sectors of Tabuk.
In the results, the Tabuk KTA-Kalinga Taekwondo Academy emerged as the champion, followed by TCTA-Tuguegarao City Taekwondo Academy as first runner-up, ARROW Taekwondo of Nueva Vizcaya as second runner-up, and AGGT-Alta Golden Griffins Taekwondo of Cauayan City as third runner-up.
The event not only provided an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their skills but also strengthened camaraderie and sportsmanship within the taekwondo community across the region. By Edward Joseph Gacuya
