KYLE George Arsenal’s long wait and sacrifices had finally paid off.
A pride of Cagayan de Oro, the 19-year-old Arsenal copped the gold in bantamweight division of the UAAP season 80 taekwondo men’s tourney last Saturday at the Ateneo de Manila University Gymnasium in Metro Manila.
Now on his third year as varsity player of De La Salle University, Arsenal nailed the gold after defeating Paul Cham of host Ateneo in the final fifth round.
On his way to the top, Arsenal upsets defending champion Lennard Perez of the University of Santo Tomas in the second round.
With his performance, Arsenal has grown matured in the elite level of the sport from being season 78’s “Rookie of the Year” two years ago.
“Nakab-ot ra gyud ni Kyle ang iyang gipreparahan,” said his ever supportive father George, who manages their family-owned Arsenal Taekwondo Gym in Cagayan de Oro.
His compatriot Camille Bonje, also a product of Arsenal GYM, salvaged a bronze medal in the distaff side.
Like Arsenal, Bonje was also named “Rookie of the Year” in season 76.
Arsenal and Bonje both suited up for the La Salle Green Archers.
