PNP taekwondo team top world police, fire games in taekwondo
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Taekwondo Team topped the taekwondo competition at the World Police and Fire Games being held at The Netherlands after hauling a total of 17 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals during the international police tournament.
The PNP Taekwondo Team medalists are Police Chief Master Sergeant Dauphin Punzalan who took the gold in the Poomsae Team 30+ competition, the silver in the Poomsae Mixed Pair 30+; and a bronze in the Poomsae Individual 40+ competition.
Police Master Sergeant Aaron Jayxen Banatao of the PNP Public Information Office grabbed a gold in the Poomsae Team 18+ event and the bronze in the Kyorugi-58 kg 30+ competition.
Police Staff Sergeant Merrie Fe Endorma got the gold in the Poomsae Team 30+, a silver in the Kyorugi +68kg 30+ competition; and a bronze in the Poomsae Class A 30+ event.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Crescencio Opriasa Jr. bagged the gold in the Kyorugi-54kg 40+ competition while Police Senior Master Sergeant Jovelyn Payos grabbed the gold in the Poomsae Individual 40+ event; a gold in the Poomsae Team 30+ competition; and a silver in the Kyorugi +67kg 30+ event. Police Corporal Edward Barrera was also one of the winners in the event.
As of press time, the PNP Team is running 19th in the tournament with its badminton, taekwondo and karate teams harvesting in a good chunk of the medals earning them congratulations from PNP Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr.
Almost 10,000 people working with police, fire, customs and corrections departments from all over the world have joined the July 22-31 World Police and Fire Games to compete in more than 60 sports at the Athletes Village in Willemsplein in Rotterdam.
