CONAMS LIONS GOT THE VICTORY IN MEN’S TAEKWONDO DIVISION AGAINST 4 OTHER TEAMS

After a total of 39 fierce men and women’s division matches, the CONAMS Lions once again proved that
they are the kings, as they won in most of the fights in the Men’s Taekwondo Division. After the high,
strong kicks and powerful moves, the roaring Lions gained a total of 5 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze
medals, making them the Overall Champion in Palarong Wesleyan 2023's Men's Taekwondo Division.
The Lions successfully topped at the rankings followed by the team of CCJE Red Stallions who gained 2
gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Then followed by the CBA Dragons who got the third spot after
winning 2 silver and 6 bronze medals. The sport took place at SM Mega center Third Floor, Cabanatuan
City at 10:00 AM on March 22, 2023. 

Players did a lot of preparation for the event. In fact, trainings began not later than February 13, which is
a proof of how dedicated the coaches and players for them to train such an early and long time. Before
the competition, players have been required to provide a medical certificate or else they will not be able
to participate. Every department who joined has been given a maximum limit of 16 players to
participate. 4 novice and advance players for both men and women’s division. 

The sport originally occurred for two days, March 21 and 22. On March 21, the players were weighed in
to determine who will be qualified to fight and who will be able to get matched up against each other.
Matches were based in the weight and experiences of the players. Fortunately, all the players reached
the weight requirement that is set for them individually, making all of them qualified to fight for the next
day. And the official matches took place on March 21.

Even the sport took place outside the university, lots of supporters from every department from the
university went out to go to the venue and cheer for their players. Coaches and other faculty staffs were
also present and even cheered with the students. The entire floor was shaking from the jumps of
excitement and was covered with loud cheers every time their bet players win in a match, especially in
the final round. Excitements can be seen through the eyes of the supporters as they watch with full
attention in every match. As well as the grief when their bets lose in the match. Five out of seven teams
from the university joined in the event, namely CONAMS Lions, CCJE Red Stallions, CBA Dragons, CECT
Tigersharks and CHTM Phoenix. CAS and COED departments did not participate in the event.

Players were divided into two divisions; advance and novice players. Advance players are those who are
well-experienced in the sport, those who have played and trained for a long period before the tryouts.
Novice are the players who have little-to-zero experience in the sport before the in-school trainings
began. The sport had different categories; it depends on the weight of players, categories were; -68 kg,
+80 kg, -80 kg, -68 kg, and -58 kg. A total of 30 players joined, 15 advance players and 15 novice players
in the men’s division.

Advance players are Nick Angel Sarile (CHTM), Daniel Marco Rosites (CECT), Aldrine James Castro
(CONAMS), Carlos Juvan Isidro (CBA), Eizan Mill Ramos (CCJE), John Alyson Ponce (CBA), Clark Alexis
Guzman (CONAMS), Paul Abraham Lingas (CBA), Gene Dominic Dela Cruz (CHTM), Chris Vicente Siervas
(CONAMS), Warren De Guzman (CCJE), Jericho Isaac Daracan (CBA), Mc Ray Julio (CONAMS), Lino
Trucillo III (CCJE), and Kasier Klimt De Leon (CECT). Novice players are Jan Michael Bautista (CONAMS),
Jefferson Siblag (CCJE), Darwin Dela Cruz (CECT), Raenil Eve Silao (CBA), Tristan Eleazar Carvajal (CCJE),
Vincent Pajarillaga (CBA), Franz Rafael Osias (CBA), John Reniel De Belen (CECT), Teodoro Mendoza
(CBA), Mc Clarence Roque (CONAMS), Eumir Bon Camarao (CCJE), Walter Descallar (CBA), John Mark
Lopez (CCJE), Ericson Quejada (CECT), and Victorino Ruedas Jr. (CONAMS).
Scoring system is based on where the kicks will hit. Body kick is 2 points, turning kick to the body is 4
points, head kick is 3 points, turning kick to the head which have the highest equivalent point is 5 points
and punch to the body is 1 point. The competition used the best of three system where the player to
win in 2 rounds will be the winner. Every round has an allotted 1 minute and 30 second’s time.

Some players were injured during their matches and were assisted immediately by the medics that the
university provided to ensure that no injury will get worse and be aided right away. One player from the
CBA Department, Paul Abraham Lingas, was kicked in the back and was said that hurt his spine. Lingas
was still willing to fight despite the pain, but he was not let go. After lying on a stretcher for minutes, he
was then transferred to the university clinic to get checked properly. While some injured players chose
to surrender in their matches and let the other player win, some were brave enough to still choose to
continue to fight. Proof is one of the players who chose to continue to fight even with an ice pack under
his clothes.

Despite the painful kicks and defeats, sportsmanship still got the best of the players. They were kind
enough to still smile, shake hands and apologize for the painful attacks to each other after their
matches. It was great to see these kinds of happenings, especially after a fierce fight between players.