Two taekwondo athletes from Cagayan brought honor to the Philippines by winning gold and silvers at the Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in Vietnam.  

Ernesto Guzman Jr., 43, from Tuguegarao City, won a silver medal in the individual Poomsae under 50 category.

Zyca Santiago from Penablanca won a gold medal in the freestyle poomsae mixed, and secured the sixth spot in the freestyle individual in the category team over 17.

Guzman said he trained Santiago personally in taekwondo.

"Masaya [ako] dahil isa [kami] sa pinakamahusay na manlalaro na napili upang i-represent ang bansa,” he said.

“Syempre nandiyan din yung kaba dahil bitbit yung flag ng pilipinas, pero sa tuwing [na]nanalo, lahat ng mga hirap ay nawawala, at lahat ng kaba ay napapalitan ng saya dahil nakakapagbigay [kami] ng karangalan hindi lang sasarili kundi sa inang bansa," he added.

Guzman said his passion for sports began at the age of 11.

Guzman is also teaching young athletes interested in taekwondo.

"Kailangan nilang disiplinahin yung sarili nila, at makinig sa mga coaches nila, at kailangan din nilang magtiis at magtiyaga dahil hindi madaling mag acquire ng good skills," Guzman said.

The Cagayan representatives are now gearing up for the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship scheduled for November 2024 in Hong Kong.