Geisler Taekwondo launches Laking JELE Sports Scholarship

THE Donnie Geisler Taekwondo Training gets a huge lift as JELE Philippines committed its support for its grassroots development program. DGTC and JELE hosted their first-ever taekwondo last Jan. 29 at the British School Manila — the 2023 Donnie Geisler Taekwondo Championships—which was participated in by various schools in Metro Manila.

One of the highlights of the event was the search for the next scholar through the Laking JELE Sports Scholarship. This program focuses on supporting a child’s taekwondo journey and dreams of becoming a future Olympian.

To help kickstart their career, JELE will be awarding each child P130,000 cash support, a monthly supply of JELE Beautie products, support for any taekwondo competition that they decide to join while

DGTC will provide gear and uniform, and free training classes with the head of DGTC and Olympian himself Donnie Geisler.

“For both brands, kids have always been at the forefront of our mission therefore it was important to start a program that focuses on giving young athletes the opportunity to showcase their full potential,” said Geisler, who is also kicking coach of the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas. Some of JELE’s products are hydrating jelly drinks in fruity flavors that contain immune-boosting properties, skin-loving vitamins, and essential nutrients.

Emotions ran high as coaches had some of their best athletes compete on the mat. In the end, five talented kids persevered. They showed grit and true sportsmanship amongst their competitors. The deserving athletes were made part of the Team A

The La Carlota ace, who trounced Shaira Rivera, 6-1, 6-2, in the semis, broke back in the seventh game to seize a 4-3 lead, held serve in the next before holding the 15-yearold rising star from Mlang, Cotabato to just one point in the ninth game for the decisive break and the victory worth P50,000.

Despite falling short of her title drive, Madis, who disposed of Nichole dela Rita, 6-2, 6-2, in the Last 4 phases of the event presented by Dunlop, received P25,000 and earned the respect of the field for her stellar play all throughout the Group A tournament put up by former national player Rina Cañiza in partnership with the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala, led by president/CEO Bobby Castro, to further boost women’s tennis.

Sharing the podium finish were Allyssa Bornia and Rivera, who came away with a 6-0, 6-4 triumph over Hannah Divinagracia and Joana Tan to nail the doubles crown in the weeklong event which also staked ranking points from the UTR (Universal Tennis Ranking) and UTP (United Tennis Philippines).

After shutting down the Divinagracia-Tan pair in the first set, Bornia and Rivera took four of the first five games in the next, marked by an exchange of breaks, then held sway in the next five games, including a break back in the 10th.