Philippine taekwondo jin Tachiana Keizha Mangin made history in the world stage after a victorious campaign in Female -49kg at the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea.
Mangin captured the female -49kg category gold by beating Kim Hyang Gi of Korea, 2-1 ending the Philippines 28-year drought in taekwondo championships. Her achievement was a first for a Filipina, and a first for the Philippines since Alex Borromeo captured the world crown of the -47kg class in the first edition of the competition in 1996 held in Barcelona.
Tachiana Mangin’s journey to the gold medal was marked by impressive victories over opponents from Spain, Thailand, Egypt, and Greece. She drew a first round bye before defeating Judith Cordoba Heredia of Spain, 2-0 followed by a sweep on Natkamon Wassana of Thailand, 2-0.
In the quarterfinals, she prevailed over ver Habiba Wael Emerah of Egypt to advance to the semis where she won against Lamprini Anna Asimaki of Greece via walkover.
Tachiana wholeheartedly thanked her supporters and everyone who congratulated her on her win via post on her Instagram. “Paumanhin kung hindi ko po maisa isa lahat ng bumati ngunit nakikita ko po ito at nagpapasalamat. Maraming salamat po sa Panginoon, sa Philippine Taekwondo Association sa pamumuno ni Grandmaster Sung Chon Hong, Sir Rock, PSC, POC,” she captioned her post.
She also thanked the Philippine National Team Coaches and her University of Sto Tomas Taekwondo family in her post, as well as her teammates, family, friends, and her parents “who have sacrificed a lot for her” according to her post.
