CEBUANO Kristian Tagarao got off to a shimmering campaign in Manila after pocketing the gold medal for Far Eastern University (FEU) in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 79 Taekwondo Tournament Tuesday at the Ateneo Blue Eagles Gym.
Tagarao went undefeated in the single round robin tournament of the the men’s seniors category featherweight division and helped FEU’s second runner-up finish.
The Tamaraws, who were also mentored by Cebuano coach Michael Realista, collected two golds, a silver, and two bronzes.
Tagarao, who hails from Dalaguete town in south Cebu, swept five games before defeating Joko Silverio of the University of the Philippines in his last match to seal his gold medal winning campaign.
He also took out a feisty opponent early with a golden point decision over University of Santo Tomas’ Juan Carlos Miguel in his first match. Miguel is a member of the Philippine National Pool.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University’s Rinna Babanto also snared a gold in the women’s individual poomsae while fellow Cebuano McAvengyr Alob settled for silver in the men’s team category along with Benjamin Sembrano.