Patrick King Perez in action in the men's individual poomsae competition of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, September 24, 2023. POC-PSC Media Pool.
(UPDATED) Taekwondo's Patrick King Perez is the first Filipino athlete to win a medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
This, after he claimed bronze in the men's individual poomsae on Sunday at the Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre.
Perez opened his campaign by beating Souksavanh Chanthilath of Laos, 7.700 to 7.440, in the round-of-16. He then assured himself of a medal with another win over Nepal's Prem Bahadur Limbu, 7.560 to 7.160, in the quarterfinals.
He missed out on a place in the finals after losing to second-seeded Ma Yun Zhong of Chinese Taipei in the semis, with Ma putting up a score of 7.450 to Perez's 6.910.
"I did my very best but I lost to a better player today," Perez said after the loss to Ma. "I could not believe I won a bronze, I am really happy."
Korea's Wanjin Kang eventually defeated Ma in the final, 7.730 to 7.480, for the gold medal.
The Philippines' other bet in poomsae, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, bowed to Korea's Yeayen Cha in the round-of-16, 7.680 to 7.560. Cha went on to win the gold medal.
Philippine Taekwondo Association Secretary-General Rocky Samson is hoping Perez’s bronze medal win will rub off on his teammates, especially those in the sparring category.
On Monday, Tokyo Olympian and Southeast Asian Games champion Kurt Bryan Barbosa will launch his gold medal bid against Uzbek Omonjon Otajonov in the men’s -58kg.
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