Cebu Province’s Asha Blanchie Pacia of Toledo City shows her gold medal after ruling the female cadet flyweight division of taekwondo in the PSC Batang Pinoy National Finals 2018 in Baguio.
Young Cebuana jin’s patience pays off, wins gold in Batang Pinoy Nationals
Baguio City — Asha Blanchie Pacia has failed many times in her young career.
Among the biggest letdowns of the 13-year-old Cebuana jin were her shortcomings in two stints of the Palarong Pambansa. Her most painful setback, though, would come last year, when she wasn’t included in the Philippine National Team training pool.
But the first-dan black-belter from Leaton School Inc. in Toledo City is a fighter, not just literally.
“I always keep my faith [and] pray to God, no matter what happens,” said Pacia.
Her faith, together with sacrifice and hard work, paid off yesterday when she bagged her first gold in the national level, ruling the cadet female flyweight division in the sparring competition of taekwondo in the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Batang Pinoy National Finals 2018 at the University of Baguio here.
The eighth grader, a first timer in the largest LGU-based national meet, defeated fellow Cebuana Fiona Sedullo in the gold medal round.
What makes her gold medal win more special is that she was the only Cebuana to win a gold medal in the entire taekwondo event of the ongoing multisporting meet.
“Maybe my prayers were answered,” said Pacia about her victory.
Her win didn’t come easy, though. Prior to the competition, Pacia did not only endure the wrath brought by typhoon Ompong but also made a huge sacrifice when she had to shed off almost six kilograms to make the weight needed in her category.
She initially weighed in at 38 kilograms and went down to 32.8 kilograms on game day.
Pacia said she only consumed water and nothing else during her weight-loss regimen. It was a tough test of her character, but the fighter in her prevailed anew.
“I almost quit a lot of times, but I prayed a lot to God to give me strength. Thankfully, everything was answered,” said Pacia.
Her coach, Marie Lorena Genovesa said that her ward has been practicing the martial art for the past three years now, and all throughout, she never doubted the youngster’s capacity to win a gold medal.
“I just always tell her that her sacrifices will pay off (someday),” Genovesa said.
Her coach hopes, though, that this win will help her get into the national team this time.
“She was not signed by the national team training pool in Cebu last year maybe because they were not that satisfied of her performance. Hopefully, this gold that she won will boost her confidence and give her motivation in her next try to qualify for the national team,” said Genovesa.
Cebu Province’s other medalists in taekwondo were Fiona Sedullo (silver), Christine Villasor (silver), and Kristine Joy Villacarlos (bronze).
Cebu City’s medalists were Johann Abelard Concepcion (silver, junior male poomsae), Xander Palacpac (silver, individual cadet poomsae, and bronze in poomsae mixed pair together with partner Rebekah Gabrielle Ponte), and Dennis Francis Arquero (bronze, individual junior male poomsae).
Meanwhile, two Cebu City weightlifters in Alberto Bacaro Jr. and Kicely Hermoso snatched gold medals in the 12-under boys category while their teammates Joan Egos, and Jun Mar Padayhag settled for silver, and Eron Borres grabbed the bronze medal.
Bacaro, 11, is from Don Regino Elementary School while Hermoso, who is also 11, is from the Carreta Elementary School.
The PSC and Batang Pinoy secretariat has yet to release the medal tally as of yesterday.
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