RIO DE JANEIRO – Tinuldukan ng Team Philippines ang kampanya sa 2016 Rio Olympics sa malungkot na kabiguan ni Kirstie Elaine Alora sa women’s taekwondo nitong Sabado, sa Carioca 3 ng Olympic Park.
Nakaatang sa kanyang balikat ang huling tsansa para madagdagan ang silver medal na napagwagian ni weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, nagtamo si Alora ng 1-4 kabiguan kay Olympic champion Maria Espinoza ng Mexico sa opening match.
Tuluyang nalusaw ang pag-asa maging sa bronze medal nang maungusan si Alora ni Wiam Dislam ng Morocco, 7-5, sa repachage.
Ang duwelo sa 5-foot-11 Morocccan ang magsisilbing alas ni Alora para sa bronze medal match, ngunit kinapos siya sa krusyal na sandali.
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Tangan ni Alora ang 5-4 bentahe may 20 segundo sa final round, ngunit nagawang makatabla ng Moroccan, bago nakaiskor ng magkasunod na sipa bago ang buzzer.
“Another sad moment because it was my second chance. But I was denied. I think I should continue fighting in this sport because if I won a medal here I might end up saying, ‘This is my last,’” sambit ng 26-anyos na si Alora.
“The Lord has plans for me to continue fighting. I’m happy with the results here but I was not fortunate enough.
It’s God’s will. Maybe he wants me to win in the Asian Championships or the World Championships before I become an Olympic champion,” aniya.
