CEBUANA jin Nica Garces competes in the 2018 Jeju Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships today at the Jeju Halla Gymnasium in Jeju, South Korea.
Though the Korea Open is not new to the young Cebuana National University recruit, Garces knows that it is still not going to be an easy stint as she will be competing in a stacked flyweight – 46kg women’s seniors category.
But Garces, who will celebrate her 19th birthday tomorrow, still has her focus set in making her presence felt in the same tournament where she won a silver medal in 2015.
“My main goal is to get a medal,” Garces told Cebu Daily News.
Garces is one of a total of 29 athletes wearing the colors of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine team in the prestigious tournament.
Another Cebuana, Rinna Babanto, however, will sit out this year’s competition after suffering a meniscal tear on her right knee.
Babanto, who underwent surgery last month, was supposed to be competing in the team event of the poomsae (forms) competition this Friday but will still be in Korea to support her teammates.