Filipina taekwondo jin Tachiana Mangin with former national team member and SEA Games gold medalist Pauline Lopez. Photo courtesy of Mangin
MANILA – For up and coming taekwondo jin Tachiana Mangin, praise hits differently when it comes from a champion and one of her idols.
Former taekwondo national team member Pauline Lopez is optimistic for Team Philippines' chances in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The country's taekwondo jins have consistently brought home medals since the sport was introduced in the Asian Games in 1986, except the elusive gold.
Lopez has high hopes for 18-year-old Mangin, who is coming off a gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
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"Especially let's watch out for Tachiana [Mangin]. She's gonna be there and she's gonna kill it," the 2018 Asian Games bronze medalist in kyorugi said.
"I'm so excited for her, she's young and hungry and I'm sure that she's gonna put up a fight and hopefully get that gold medal," she added.
For Mangin, the praise means even more coming from her idol, a champion who once walked the same path she is now taking.
When she was younger, Mangin even went to Ateneo de Manila University just to meet and take a photo with Lopez.
"Kapag galing kay Ate Pau, parang kinikilig po talaga ako. Kasi ever since po bata po, si Ate Pau po talaga yung like idol ko po talaga. Before po talaga, wala po akong kilalang international athlete. Si Ate Pau lang po. Saka sila coach Hei, sila Coach Alora, yun po," she said.
The pride of the University of Santo Ramos believes Lopez' words offer both validation and inspiration as she continues to chase her own place in Philippine taekwondo.
"So galing po kay ate Pau, parang masaya po [ako], lalo [ako] na-inspire, na-motivate," the 18-year-old added.
Tachiana Mangin poses with her gold medal from the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Photo courtesy of Mangin
Mangin already boasts of an impressive resume as a junior, winning gold at the 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships.
The 18-year-old is the first athlete from the country to win at the event since 1996.
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Last December, Mangin's SEA Games gold was historic since she ended the long reign of Thailand in her division after beating 2023 World Championships silver medalist Kamonchanko Seeken in the 49kg final.
With added motivation from her idol, Mangin looks to break the spell in her debut and bring home the elusive taekwondo gold from the Asian Games.
"Wala po sa age yung pagka panalo. And especially, wala rin po sa gender yung pagkapanalo. And, ayun lang, parang gawin mo lang yung best moment and enjoy the moment po talaga," Mangin said.
"I'm also doing this, not just for me, for the association, for anyone, but also for the little girls na kung kaya ko, kaya din nila. Ayun po," she added.