Taekwondo Newbie Injured After Sparring Mishap with Black Belter

 A 17-year-old novice in taekwondo finds herself injured after her coach allegedly set up a sparring session with a significantly more experienced male black belt, resulting in severe injuries.

Reported by GMA News's 24 Oras, the victim, a yellow belter, endured the pain from her male counterpart during a session at a school in Bulacan back in February. The encounter left her with bruises and a swollen face, necessitating medical attention.

The victim, in an interview with GMA News, expressed the harrowing experience:

“Muntikan na po ako mm@ty dahil sa bugb0g. Binugb0g ako na wala akong laban. 'Di ko kaya lumaban wala ako magawa sa sarili ko kasi pinartner ako sa lalaki na mas mabigat sa akin 70 kilos, black belter pa. Kakasimula ko lang po,” she said.

The victim's family alleges that the coach arranged the unequal match out of alleged jealousy, citing inappropriate behavior towards the victim.

"Mentally, physically damaged. Lahat ng damaged. May gising pa po na minsan bumabagsak siya. Pinapa-MRI siya," the victim's mother expressed concern over her daughter's well-being, highlighting the extent of her injuries and subsequent medical evaluations.

Police have taken action against the coach, filing charges under the Special Protection of Children Against @buse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. The Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation Inc., where the incident occurred, is conducting an internal investigation and has suspended taekwondo training sessions pending the inquiry.

The case underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes, particularly minors, in sports training environments. Such incidents serve as a reminder of the responsibility coaches bear in fostering a supportive and safe learning environment for their students.