![[photo credit: MAPAMASA Taekwondo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/439762635_122119030592254702_1420758703288096610_n-400x200.jpg)
MAPAMASA, a conglomeration of Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) instructors from Marikina-Pasig-Mandaluyong-San Juan, is set to hold the 2024 MAPAMASA Taekwondo Championships on Sunday, May 19, starting at 7:00 a.m.
![PH Taekwondo Kyorugi team in training [photo credit: Philippine Taekwondo Association Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/380660068_1301224510522795_4651258810693879023_n-400x200.jpg)
Filipino Taekwondo jins failed to hit their stride on the third playing day of competitions in the19th Asian Games.
![Kurt Barbosa [photo from Kurt Barbosa OLY Instagram]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/286195998_3216383108646806_315145271631078618_n-e1695651047417-400x200.jpg)
The Philippines lost another top medal hopeful after Tokyo Games veteran Kurt Barbosa dropped his opening round match to Uzbekistan’s Omonjon Otajonov at the start of taekwondo’s Kyorugi (free sparring) event in the 19th Asian Games.
Over 500 taekwondo jins from all over Luzon are set to compete in the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) – Women in Action Kyorugi tournament which opens Saturday, June 10, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila.
In an interview on the Rica “Baby Dynamite” Aquino podcast, the 56-year-old points out how Barbosa defied the odds and advancing ahead of seasoned fighters such as Pauline Lopez, Arven Alcantara and Kirstie Elaine Alora.
“We called for this meeting to emphasize the safety protocols you will be needing for this Olympic training bubble. I am confident that we can all adjust to this, but know that your safety is paramount to the PSC,” – PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez,