SENATOR Joel Villanueva urged taekwondo jin Tachiana Mangin to inspire and motivate the youth to pursue their dreams following her historic win.

Villanueva filed a resolution commending Mangin, a fellow Thomasian, for winning the Philippines’ first gold in the women’s category of the World Taekwondo Junior Championships.

“Mangin’s record-breaking performance has brought great pride and honor to the UST community and the country,” Villanueva said in Senate Resolution No. 1212.

“Her victory serves as an inspiration and motivation to all Filipinos, especially the youth and aspiring athletes, and merits recognition from this august chamber,” he added.

The senator called the 16-year-old Mangin a rising star who can help popularize taekwondo and encourage the youth to engage in sports.

Mangin, a University of Santo Tomas Senior High School student, won the women’s -49kg category in the tournament, defeating South Korea’s Kim Hyang-gi in a nail-biting final.

Her win made her the first-ever Filipina gold medalist in the competition and marked the country’s first junior world title in 28 years, following Alex Borromeo’s 1996 triumph.

The World Taekwondo Junior Championships, first held in 1996, is the largest global taekwondo competition for juniors.

“Following our Olympic success, Tachiana’s gold adds a new chapter to our sporting history, placing the Philippines on the world taekwondo stage,” Villanueva said.

“She has shown that good health, determination, persistence, and strength can help young people reach their goals,” he added.