Cordillera Taekwondo team ranks 3rd in Palarong Pambansa 2024

Baguio City, Philippines – The Cordillera Taekwondo team broke its own record in the Palarong Pambansa as this year’s team made it to the third rank overall.

This is the first time the taekwondo team got to said ranking, according to the Department of Education-Cordillera, in a press release on Monday, July 15.

In said event, the Fearless Highlanders brought home 4 gold medals, 3 silver, and 6 bronze.

Gold medalists include Alexandria Daphne Fajardo Aganon (elementary-over 152 cm to 160 cm), Joshua Aaron Ebora Erece (secondary-not exceeding 45 kg), Rihannah Kate Buendia Caguioa (secondary-not exceeding 42 kg) and those who competed in the Pomsae (group) - Jheron Calub Cristobal, Enrique Manuel Blanco Oglayon and Wentworth Tertius Bayquen Tamayo.

For the silver medalists, they are Chris Levi Pawen Culallad (secondary- over 50 kg and not exceeding 63 kg), Andrew Macunan Tegui-in (secondary-over 63 kg and not exceeding 68 kg), and Shalyne Joy Tamano Tallog (secondary-over 42 kg and not exceeding 44 kg).

The bronze medalists, meantime, are Kian Kerby Acena Benedito (secondary- over 45 kg and not exceeding 48 kg), Stephanie Chiday Agda (secondary-over 52 kg and not exceeding 55 kg), Joey Jones Pawen Culallad (over 55 kg and not exceeding 59 kg), and Matt Rejhan Palmitos Lavestre (secondary –over 51 kg and not exceeding 54 kg).

Also included in the list of bronze medalists are Natasha Louise Dela Peña Laurente and Enrique Manuel Blanco Oglayon for the elementary-mixed pair Poomsae and Trisha Cagay-an Lobbonan for the elementary–individual Poomsae category.

The majority of these Taekwondo players are students of various schools in Baguio City, while 3 others are from Abra, Kalinga and Benguet.