Despite being held remotely and virtually like the previous National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season, 12 Benildean student-athletes from the senior division triumphed in taekwondo events of NCAA Season 97, bringing home a total of 13 golds for the College.

Athletes who participated in the Taekwondo competitions continued to virtually flaunt their skills in speed kicking and poomsae events.

Benildeans in Senior Division

Two-time NCAA gold medalist and Lady Blazer Krizelle Yadao added another two in her medal haul after snatching a gold in the Women’s Division of Freestyle Poomsae and the other in the Flyweight Division of Speed Kicking. The Culinary Arts student was the only Benildean who managed to snatch a medal in the Poomsae division.

Similar to last season, the Senior Division of Speed Kicking event was also dominated by Benildeans, with seven golds courtesy of Celsus Barinan for the Men’s Flyweight Division, Josemari Ong for the Men’s Welterweight, and Ronie Colico for the Men’s Middleweight Division. Meanwhile, for the Women’s Division, Benildeans Yadao dominated the Flyweight Division along with Lorelee Natividad for the Welterweight, Shield Samson for the Middleweight, and Ethel Palconit for the Heavyweight Divisions.

Aside from gold finishes in the said event, two silvers were also nabbed by Benildeans Rey Justin Nacua for Men’s Bantamweight Division and Katrina Alpuerto for Women’s Welterweight Division, while three other Benildeans managed to secure a bronze medal finish. Student-athletes Rey Fausto from the Men’s Finweight, Piolo Jazmines from the Lightweight, and Ashley Felipe from the Women’s Middleweight Divisions all landed third in their respective divisions.

Aside from the winners, other Benildeans that competed in the taekwondo tournament were:

• Kian Graydon Ashe in the Men’s Flyweight Division
• Gerico Sy in the Men’s Bantamweight Division
• Laurence Scott Santiago in the Men’s Featherweight Division
• Joselle Daguinod in the Women’s Finweight Division
• Tanya Mosquera in the Women’s Bantamweight Division
• Melissa Maxine Arsenal in the Women’s Featherweight Division
• Rocio Diaz in the Women’s Lightweight Division, and 
• Anne Christine Obenza in the Women’s Heavyweight Division.