GARCES
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Cebuana taekwondo jin Nica Garces of the National University (NU) is aiming for a more successful stint in 2019.
Garces, who used to win international medals for the University of Cebu in high school, has been quiet lately but she vowed to bag more medals in the upcoming year.
“I am not just aiming to play but to get a medals and give my best performance in next year’s competitions,” said the 19-year-old Garces, who is now in her second year in college in NU.
Garces is eyeing several big international events in 2019 like the Korea Open, the World Taekwondo Championship, the Asean Taekwondo Federation (ATF) and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Both the ATF and the SEA Games will be hosted by the Philippines.
“For now, I’m not saying that I’m ready for those tournaments but I’m ready to take risks in training and all and I do believe I still need to put more work,” she said.
Garces has been a consistent medal hauler in the Korea Open back when she was still a junior.
In late 2017, Garces shocked the local taekwondo community when she managed to win a bronze in the Kimunyong International Taekwondo Open, where it was her first time to play in the seniors division.
She had a respectable 2018 as she was able to help the Bulldogs win this season’s UAAP sparring crown and managed to pocket a gold in the Carlos Palanca Jr. Tournament and the MVP Best of the Best tilt.