FOR CEBUANA taekwondo sensation Nica Garces, the transition to a higher stage wasn’t easy.
But her effort to adapt to a new level of competitiveness in the seniors class produced good result as she won a bronze medal in the Kimunyong Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships in Seoul, South Korea, last Nov. 1.
Garces, in her first time to compete in an international seniors competition, defeated Canada’s Yvette Yong in three rounds to capture the bronze.
Yong won in the first round, 9-6, but the former University of Cebu (UC) jin swept the next two rounds, 20-8, 41-35, to sway her way to a third place podium finish.
According to the 18-year-old Garces, the experience was a huge boost for her career.
“It was my first time to compete internationally in the seniors division so it was really a great experience for me,” the National University (NU) recruit Garces told Cebu Daily News.
But she doesn’t have plans of slowing down as she aims to improve for future tournaments.
“Next time will be another game and another chance to prove to myself and to everyone that I am more than who I was before.”
Cebuano gold medalist
Fellow Cebuano McAvengyr Alob, meanwhile, won a gold in the individual music poomsae competition in the same tournament. It was another amazing feat for the 21-year-old De La Salle University standout.
Alob is now preparing to defend his title in this season of the UAAP while Garces will focus on her training with NU.