EVEN BEFORE entering Ateneo for college, Joaquin Tuzon (1 BS MGT) had built quite a pedigree for himself in the world of taekwondo. Despite being confined to only competing online, the poomsae prodigy has already bagged two international medals this year.
Having donned the Blue and White, all eyes are on Joaquin as he proves himself to be a highly touted taekwondo jin who fosters the potential to bring the Ateneo taekwondo program back in the limelight.
A spirited jin
Inspired by the 2010 film Karate Kid, Tuzon began his fruitful taekwondo journey in 2011, competing in both sparring and poomsae before choosing to focus solely on the latter in 2016. Fueled by his innate passion for the sport, Tuzon tried his hand at the junior national team evaluations in the same year, hoping to take on the opportunity to represent the Philippines in international competitions. Although he was not accepted in his first try, a successful second attempt in 2017 finally turned his dream into reality.
Now in his 10th year in the sport, Tuzon embarks on his career as both a senior national team member and a rookie for the Ateneo Taekwondo Poomsae Team—a route nothing short of enjoyable.
“I think if you really love what you do, hindi mo maiisip na nahihirapan ka sa ginagawa mo (you won’t think that you’re having a hard time), so if you have that passion, you won’t have a problem with doing what you’re doing,” he said.
Taking center stage
Tuzon already made waves in his first year competing in the senior division as he achieved podium finishes in two international competitions: The 6th Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championships held in Lebanon last June and the online 14th World Taekwondo Culture Expo last October.
In the former, he graced the mats in the Men’s Under 30 Team Event alongside Junior Reyes and Patrick King Perez—his long-time idols as an aspiring national athlete. “All of my teammates were veterans. They all competed in the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games and I was [still new] so there was a lot of pressure for me,” he expressed.
Tuzon nonetheless powered through these apprehensions, bagging a bronze medal and taking home valuable learning experiences in the process. With a newfound hunger for international success, Tuzon has pushed himself to drastic changes in work ethic, shifting from mere compliance to his coaches’ training programs to squeezing in additional drills and workouts.
Similar to many other athletes, however, the convergence of the sports world to the digital sphere posed numerous challenges to the rookie. “I think the most difficult part of competing online is hindi ka masyadong natututukan ng coach (your coach can’t give you as much attention), so it means [I’m] more by myself. In poomsae, it’s important that there’s a coach watching you because it’s about the accuracy and presentation of what you do,” said Tuzon.
Fresh off his Lebanon experience, Joaquin delivered a stellar performance at the 14th World Taekwondo Culture Expo where he won gold in the Men’s Under 30 Individual event last October. Despite being confined to competing at home, the young jin recalled the feeling of winning the top prize in his category as the “fruit of his hard work.”
Soaring to new heights
All while making the country proud, it was time for Joaquin to enter the collegiate scene. Originally a Tiger Cub in high school, he ultimately made the switch to become a Blue Eagle. Since his dad is an alumnus of Ateneo Grade School, Tuzon recalls his early exposure to Ateneo sports—having attended numerous Ateneo Men’s Basketball games in Araneta Coliseum as a child.
Tuzon started his freshman year in college last August, the same month he joined his first competition as a Blue Eagle in the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation (MVPSF) Online National Carlos Palanca Jr. Speed Kicking and Poomsae Championships.
Though he was unable to bag any medals in the said competition, Joaquin took it as motivation for future meets. “I think that experience will be a lesson for me [to] work harder [so] I can reach the podium [next time],” Tuzon said.
Not long after, Tuzon carded his first win for Ateneo in the 2021 SMART/MVPSF NCR Poomsae and Speed Kicking Taekwondo Championships held last December 4 to 5.
Albeit new to the team, Tuzon has already gained plaudits from his collegiate coach Ardee Landrito. When asked about the young taekwondo jin, Coach Ardee praised Tuzon’s hard work and passion for the sport. “Joaquin pushes himself to do better even in the smallest details; he [would] do extra [workouts] to [get] even better and stronger… I believe that he will have more success in both the local and international scene,” Landrito acclaimed.
Despite being the poomsae team’s only male rookie, Tuzon’s accomplishments in the international taekwondo scene already signal a prosperous collegiate career for the Laoag native.
Ascending the hill
At the end of the day, Tuzon still recognizes the importance of striking a balance between his studies and his athletic career. As a Management major, he aspires to one day venture into the corporate world, which he believes excelling in his academics will help him achieve. As an athlete, Tuzon carries great aspirations for his time in the Ateneo.
Looking to win a gold medal at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the promising rookie also aims to amplify the Blue and White’s presence in the said league and end its podium-finish drought for poomsae. With his fiery competitive passion and never-ending drive to improve as an athlete, these goals are undoubtedly already within Tuzon’s reach.
