Julius Singco, a 16-year old student from Pinili, Ilocos Norte, shone brightly in the recent US Open taekwondo championships held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia as he took the lone gold medal for the Philippines.

Singco, a blackbelt who only entered the sport four years ago, crushed American Jenshen Ishida in the finweight class finals, 6-2, enroute to the gold medal.

Singco was sponsored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Ilocos Norte Sports Development Council Chairman Michael M. Keon.

“Singco’s achievement is a great reflection to his coaching staff in Ilocos Norte, and it’s a reflection on his performance that he is a great fighter,” Keon said.

Singco got his blackbelt under the tutelage of Roger Valdez.

As a result of Singco’s fine showing in Atlanta, Georgia, he became a member of the national training pool for taekwondo.

Being a member of the national training pool, Singco would receive meal allowances and stipends for his various competitions here and abroad.

Keon however said Singco would still need to practice more if he is to meet the standards set for becoming one of the country’s representatives for the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).

His inclusion in the national pool, Keon said, is a step into the right direction as Singco would now be trained better in preparation for future taekwondo events.

Leilanie G. Adriano