RP's last hope, taekwondo jins, arrive in Beijing

MANILA, Philippines – The two Filipino taekwondo jins checked in at the Beijing Olympic Village shortly before noon Friday with the full knowledge that the Philippines’ arduous quest of winning an Olympic medal of any color wrest solely on their shoulders. The remnants of what started to be a strong 15-member Philippine team greeted and welcomed jins Tshomlee Go and Mari Antoniette Rivero, which will see action next week. With lone Filipino boxing bet Harry Tañamor being outpunched by a virtually unknown Ghanian fighter a few nights ago, it’s now Rivero and Go’s turn to deliver a medal in their respective events where they are respected by the rest of the world And the two are aware that the work ahead is no laughing matter as they hope to end the Philippines’ 84-year drought in the world’s greatest sporting event. “I understand the pressure. We are excited and eager to compete. But we’ll do our best. I’m sure of that," said Rivero. As enthusiastic is Go, who is making his second Olympic appearance like Rivero, looking every bit different from the fighter who bombed out right on his first bout four years ago in Athens. “We’re going to do what we came here for. And that’s to do our best for the country. Focused kami dito and we’re ready to play.": The two arrived after a rough four-hour trip via Philippine Airlines from Manila, with coaches Raul Samson and Korean Kim Sok Hik in tow. RP sports officials, led by press officer Joey Romasanta and administrative officer Moying Martelino, became the group’s welcoming party at the spanking-new Beijing international airport. After spending a few minutes filling up some forms at the reception room of the huge Olympic Village, home to the athletes up to the last day of the 17-day meet, Rivero and Go rested for a while before taking their lunch. Swimmers Miguel Molina and JB Walsh, archer Mark Javier, some coaches and a few other Team Philippines officials were seen greeting them at the reception hall. Weightlifter Hidylin Diaz and shooter Eric Ang returned to Manila, a few days after bombing out in their respective events. Home, too, were coaches Ramon Solis of weightlifting and James Chua of shooting. Four years ago in Athens, Rivero reached as far as the semifinals where she lost to hometown favorite Elizabeth Mystakadou in a thrilling fight, 2-3. In the repechage, she dropped a 2-6 decision at the hands of Korean Kyung Sung Wang, who eventually won the bronze. Go got booted out right on his first Olympic fight, losing to Spain’s Juan Antonio Carlos, 6-7. In this Olympiad, the two Filipino jins, who have gone through a long, tedious buildup that included stints in a number of world tournaments, have been rated highly by a panel of experts and writers here. – GMANews.TV