NEWS

GOLDEN KICKS

Ilocos Sur jins strike gold, punch Palaro tickets

CANDON CITY – Unleashing a fierce display of power and precision on the mats, Ilocos Sur’s Maria Antonia Nerisse Valdez and Athena Gayle Natividad delivered gold-medal performances in their respective taekwondo events at the Region I Athletic Association (RIAA) Meet 2026, securing coveted berths to the Palarong Pambansa.

Valdez dominated the Taekwondo Elementary Kyorugi Category 3 division, firing a barrage of dollyo chagi (roundhouse kicks) and sharp cut kicks to control distance and dictate the pace. She stunned her opponent with perfectly timed head kicks, piling up points with clinical execution and unwavering composure en route to the championship.

Meanwhile, Natividad showcased equal brilliance in the Taekwondo Elementary Girls - Kyorugi Category 2, overpowering her foes with aggressive combinations and airtight defense to clinch another gold for Ilocos Sur.

Despite her triumphant run, Valdez revealed the internal battle she had to overcome before stepping onto the mat.

“I had low confidence in myself coming into this competition, and there were moments when I doubted if I could really win,” Valdez said. “But I kept reminding myself of all the sacrifices and training I went through. Because of the motivation from my friends, my family, and especially my coach, I found the strength to push through every round, give my best in every kick, and believe that I could actually do it.”

Coach Charlotte May Musa lauded Valdez’s mental toughness and growth throughout the tournament.

“She showed maturity beyond her years inside the ring,” Musa said. “Even when the pressure was high, she stayed composed, trusted her techniques, and executed every move with confidence and that’s what truly brought her to victory.”

Bannering the Mighty Green Stallions, both jins proved their mettle with explosive offense and disciplined strategy, turning the dojang into a stage of dominance for Ilocos Sur.

With their gold-medal finishes, Valdez and Natividad punched their tickets to the Palarong Pambansa, where they are set to carry the pride of Region I against the country’s top young taekwondo warriors.

via Daniel G. Cuenca, Jr. & R1AA Media Team

Photo by James Noah J. Dauz