Taekwondo newbie injured after coach sets up sparring with blackbelt

A 17-year-old yellow belter in taekwondo suffered injuries after her coach allegedly set her up to spar with a taller and heavier male black belt.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras,” the victim sustained bruises under the eye and a swollen face after the incident in February. She was confined in a hospital due to the injuries.

“Grabe po yung epekto ng ginawa nila sa akin. Halos minsan po ‘di na ako makabangon, makapasok sa paaralan kasi po grabe po ‘yung pagbugbog sa akin. Gustung-gusto ko po magsalita kasi sobrang drain na drain na po ako di ko na po kaya,” the victim said

(I find it difficult to stand up sometimes because of my injuries. I cannot go to school. I wanted to say something during the sparring session but I felt weak.)

“Muntikan na po ako mamatay dahil sa bugbog. Binugbog ako na wala akong laban. ‘Di ko kaya lumaban wala ako magawa sa sarili ko kasi pinartner ako sa lalaki na mas mabigat sa akin 70 kilos, black belter pa. Kakasimula ko lang po,” she said. 

(I was almost beaten up to death. I cannot defend myself because I was set up against a male black belter. He was bigger than I am and I had only just started.)

A yellow belt in taekwondo indicates the student is a beginner while a black belt means the student has achieved a significant level of proficiency in the martial art.

The victim’s family believes the team coach deliberately arranged the disadvantageous sparring session because of jealousy. 

“Sinadya po dahil may gusto siya sa anak ko. Meron daw pong biglang inaakap siya, inaakbayan, tapos inaaya siya kumain sa labas, magkape nang sila lang dalawa. Sabi ko di na normal yun,” the victim’s mother said. 

(He deliberately arranged for that because he had feelings for my daughter. She told us that her coach would sometimes hug her or ask her out.)

“Noong Feb. 26 po birthday… Nagpadala po ako ng pagkain doon para sa team. Sumabay po yung boyfriend ng anak ko. Sinabi po sa akin ng kapatid ko na nagalit si coach nung nakita yung bouquet po na dala ng boyfriend ng anak ko,” the mother said.

(I asked my sister to bring food for their team for her birthday last Feb. 26. She said the coach got angry when my daughter’s boyfriend arrived with a bouquet.)

She added: “Mentally, physically damaged. Lahat ng damaged. May gising pa po na minsan bumabagsak siya. Pinapa-MRI siya”.

(She was affected mentally and physically. There are times when she would just fall even while awake. She has to undergo an MRI.)

Police had already filed charges against the coach for violating Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. 

The JILCF management, meanwhile, said they are investigating the incident. They have also suspended the taekwondo team’s training sessions alongside the coaches. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News