SFA-AGR-095-08

SON OF OSLO PE ATTACHÉ WINS AT THE TAEKWONDO NORWAY CUP

27 February 2008 – Charge d’Affaires, a.i., of the Philippine Embassy in Oslo Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Khin Benjohn “BJ” Marc H. Grejalde, 14 and the youngest child of Attaché Benjamin J. Grejalde of the Philippine Embassy won the bronze medal in the recently concluded Norway Cup 1 (NC-1) Taekwondo competition held at the Bygdohus in Bygdoy, Oslo on 16-17 February.

Some three hundred players competed in the two-day event organized by Norges Kampsportforbund (Norway Martial Arts Federation).  Norway Cup is held four times a year, twice before and twice after summer.

His first fight after stopping training for six months, BJ scared his opponent when he scored 9–10 with only 14 seconds left during the final set of the three-round  match.  After two consecutive fights, fatigue and adjustment to a bigger court and new officiating rules robbed him of his chance for another match. He managed to win the bronze medal under the -78Kg light-heavy division.

BJ was among the 11 players fielded by his team, the Sangrok Mudo Institute, an affiliate of Norway’s biggest taekwondo training center, Mudo Institute that was founded in 1997.  

He is currently training under the tutelage of Mr. Henrik Hunstad, a consultant of the Norwegian Martial Arts Federation. Mr. Hunstad earned his International Master Instructor title after completing the course in Kukkiwon, Korea and is now a 6^th dan black belter.

BJ is now a regular member of the Norges Kampsportforbund (Norway Martial Arts Federation) wherein members are provided insurance and discounts on selected services and facilities and are eligible to join any martial arts competition that the Federation organizes.   BJ says his win has made him more eager to join future Taekwondo competitions in Norway and regain his standing as Champion (children category) which he earned while in the Philippines. END

/wingret