Joshua Emmanuel Deita, a 17-year-old Grade 11 student-athlete of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B), and a semi-finalist in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, is gearing up for his comeback in the 2024 edition of the prestigious sports event in Cebu City this July.
Deita showcased his prowess in a nail-biting semi-final match against a formidable opponent from Antique province. Despite the tight scores until the second round, Deita surged ahead with three consecutive body armor kicks, followed by a head kick, clinching a commanding lead and ultimately securing victory.
The finals proved to be an even more intense encounter against a resilient rival from Iloilo province. The first round was a thrilling exchange, with scores neck and neck until it was tied after a minute of kicks and punches.
Deita managed to establish a six-point lead with just 24 seconds remaining, maintaining it until the final buzzer sounded. In the second round, he widened the gap, cruising to a comfortable 12-point victory as his opponent from Iloilo struggled to keep pace.
Deita’s triumph in the Secondary Boys Kyorugi Welterweight category of the Taekwondo Event at the 2024 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet held at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Gym, from May 4-6, solidified his position to once again represent Western Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City. ||
