MANILA, July 14 — Rio Olympics veteran Kirstie Elaine Alora will lead the national taekwondo team in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia next month.
The 27-year-old Alora, who was the Philippine delegation flag-bearer during the closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, will see action in the -73 kg. division of the Kyorugi event.
Alora pocketed the silver medal in the -67 kg. division in the 2016 Asian Taekwondo Championships held in Pasay City to qualify for the Olympic Games. She was a bronze medalist in the Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea (2014) and Guangzhou, China (2010), both in the -73 kg. division.
Joining Alora in the SEA Games are Rhezie Canama Aragon (-53 kg.), Pauline Louise Lopez (-62 kg.), and Poomsae team members Jocellyn Ninobla, Juvenille Faye Crisostomo, and Rinna Babanto.
Also going to Malaysia are Francis Aaron Agojo (-58 kg.), Arven Alcantara (-68 kg.), Morrison Samuel Thomas Harper (-74 kg.), and Poomsae team members Dustin Jacob Mella, Raphael Enrico Mella, and Rodolfo Reyes Jr.
A total of 16 gold medals are at stake in the taekwondo competition, which will be held on Aug. 26-29 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.
Malaysia is hosting the SEA Games for the sixth time. The last time it hosted the biennial tournament was in 2001.
A total of 406 gold medals in 38 sports are up for grabs in the 2017 SEA Games, which will carry the theme, “Rising Together”. (Jean T. Malanum/PNA)
