2009 CA State Team Trials

Congratulations to the following Manila TKD Athletes who made the 2009 CA State Team:

Anna Ubando
Chelsea Ubando
Yazzy Bomagat
Icky Nunez
Nico Bomagat

Chino Cruz - Manila Tae Kwon Do Premier Athlete

Sansunim Chino is Master Henry’s eldest son. He currently holds a 2nd degree Black Belt. Sansunim Chino began Tae Kwon Do at the age of 5. He received his first US National Junior Olympic Gold Medal at the age of 6. He is now 19 years old. His success in this sport is not only measured in the medals he has received and competitions he has entered.

His main success can be measured in the admirers who flag him down wherever he goes. He is a simple and down-to-earth man with a huge love for this sport.

How it all Began - Christian CHINO Cruz, Chino as he is fondly called began his TKD training at the age of 6. In 1996, Chino competed at his 1st US Junior Olympics held in Orlando Florida as a Yellow belt competing in the Green Belt division.

He won the GOLD MEDAL in his 1st ever US Junior Olympics and has been winning them since then. It is not surprising at all that Chino is a Winner. He tries to excel in every endeavour and succeeds at it.

His life in Tae Kwon Do is centered In his school, Manila Tae Kwon Do. As the eldest son of Master Henry Cruz, Chino has a tough role to uphold. His success in this sport is closely watched and followed not only by his fellow classmates but by other athletes across the United States and in other countries.

Chino not only does Tae Kwon Do. He also likes to create works of art with his airbrush. He creates his works of art on T-Shirts, Shoes or whatever he can get his hands on.

Together with his entire family, Chino has traveled to a lot of places because of Tae Kwon Do. In 2004 Chino was invited to attend the 1st ever US Taekwondo Developmental High Performance Program Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The purpose of the Developmental High Performance Program is to identify world class talent and develop future champions at the international level.

In August of 2005, Chino together with his Manila Tae Kwon Do teammates, traveled to the Philippines to compete in the Philippine Nationals and the 4th Samsung Best of the Best Taekwondo Championships. In the Philippine National Event, Chino led the Junior Boys Team (5-man Team) to a 3rd place win, finishing in the Top 4 out of 31 Teams. At the Samsung Best of the Best Championship, Chino finished in 1st Place in the Junior Male, Welterweight Division.

Chino's Tae Kwon Do career has been on 2-year hiatus, we are hoping that someday Chino will return to competition or return as a school owner and establish his own style of instructions.

Currently, Chino ventured into a great Marketing career and is in Hawaii to open a new business venture. We wish him luck in his business endeavours!!! We hope to see you back in the Bay Area by September '09......We will miss you!

04/18/09 - CA State Team Trials

On April 18, 2009, 6 Manila TKD Athletes will be competing at the 2009 CA State Team Trials in Diamond Bar, CA. These athletes placed 1st-3rd in the just concluded CA State Team Championships:

Anna Ubando (FIN)
Chelsea Ubando (FEATHER)
Yazzy Bomagat (WELTER)
Icky Nunez (MIDDLE)
Robert Nico Bomagat (FLY)
Leo Yoshida (Bantam)

Good Luck to All!

04/04/09 - American Open (Cal State East Bay)

We had a blast at this tournament. From our 6-7 year old Green Belts to our 14-17 year old Black Belts. Below are a list of athletes who competed at this tournament:

Seth - 2nd Place
Omar - 1st Place
Diego - 1st Place
Michael
Christian - 1st Place
Kirsten - 1st Place
Brianna - 2nd Place
Nico Cruz - 1st Place
Junior Olano - 2nd Place
Lexy - 1st Place
Jack
Austin - 1st Place
Joshua - 1st Place
Cheyenne - 1st Place
Anna
Nico B - 2nd Place
Leo
Icky - 1st Place

Can't wait for the next tournament!

03/28/09 CA State Championships

Here's a list of athletes who qualified at the 2009 CA State Championship for the 2009 US Nationals to be held in Austin, TX in July:

BLACK BELTS
Cheyenne Lewis (1st Place) 12-13 LIGHT
Anna Ubando (1st Place) 14-17 FIN
Yazzy Bomagat (1st Place) 14-17 WELTER and 18-32 BANTAM
Icky Nunez (1st Place) 14-17 MIDDLE
Nico Bomagat (2nd Place) 14-17 FLY