Pinoy’s shine in Taekwon-do test

Filipinos once again showed true talent during the 2011 ITF of BC Provincial Taekwon-do Tournament held on April 9, 2011 at the Tournament Capital Center in Kamloops, BC.
The DSA Royal International Taekwondo-do club’s 14 delegates, all from Vancouver and all Filipinos, took home a total of 24 medals with 13 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals won in Patterns and Sparring events.
The tournament started with the Blackbelt Super senior division (35 and up). Although encumbered by almost 1 foot height disadvantage with the other competitors, the club’s instructor, Darius Andaya, still managed to win gold in patterns and silver in sparring. Dana Mae Andaya, who is a pre-junior blackbelt, was put, in error, with the more experienced Junior Division (14-17), yet still managed to get 2 bronze medals for both events. Manuel Darson Andaya II,  received silver for sparring for the pre-junior male blackbelt division (12-13).
As with previous tournaments, the rest of the club’s coloured belt contingent continually impressed judges and raked in medals in their respective divisions in patterns and sparring, respectively:
Brother and sister, Rinzel and Rustin Pudiquet, as well as Edgar and Roanna Deguzman, all received 2 gold medals each for the two events. Roni Deguzman, first time to compete, was equally impressive with a silver and gold. Ten year old Christopher Mendoza, received gold and bronze.
DSA Taekwon-do students has always done well in competitions. During the 2010 Canadian Nationals, the club’s 18 delegates took home 31 medals with 19 gold.