UST’s Mangin headlines Olympic scholars
Tachiana Mangin, one of the Olympic Solidarity scholars given grants by the International Olympic Committee, has big goals.
“My biggest dream, really, is to compete in the Olympics in 2028. It has become my motivation,” said Mangin after accepting her recognition during the recent Olympic Day festivities in Tagaytay City.
The 17-year-old University of Santo Tomas ace has become the face of Philippine taekwondo after her success in the World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea last year.
She’s the first Filipino junior world champion in the sport since Alex Borromeo shone in the 1996 version of the meet in Barcelona, Spain.
Mangin is preparing for the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China, on October 24 to October 30, and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 9 to December 20.
“These are the tournaments where I want to win. Hopefully, it’s going to be my year,” said Mangin.
Other athletes who received financial grants were canoe-kayak’s Ojay Fuentes and Janus Ercilla, GM Danielle Quizon and WGM Janelle Frayna of chess, triathlete Kira Ellis, kickboxer Jansen Pareja, karatekas Sakura Alforte and Rebecca Cyril, jiujitsu’s Annie Ramirez and muay thai’s Kylie Mallari.
Olympic Solidarity scholars for the LA Olympics Ronel Suyom (boxing), Chino Sy Tancontian (judo), John Cabang Tolentino (athletics), Karl Eldrew Yulo (gymnastics), Noelito Jose Jr. (fencing), Mazel Alegado (skateboarding), Aliah Rose Gavalez (wrestling), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf) and Shagne Yaoyao (cycling-MTB) also got financial aid from the IOC in ceremonies headed by Philippine Olympic Committee chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
Speed skater Peter Groseclose and alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli will likewise receive monthly stipends from the IOC as Olympic Solidarity scholars for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.
“I’m very motivated. I will work doubly hard to achieve these goals,’’ said Mangin, whose defeated a home bet on the way to ruling the women’s 49kg class.
