For RP jins, pressure to win has been ‘well-managed’

MANILA, Philippines – Taekwondo officials know what happened to the other gold-medal prospect who got hit by the pressure bug. And they’re not going to allow that to take a hold of their athletes. Jins Tshomlee Go and Toni Rivero have poured in time to get the mental side of their game in perfect shape as the gold hopefuls await their turn in separate play dates this week. “Sports psychology has been helping us. And even if they don't have any formal session or seminar in sports psychology, they read books that are very helpful for their campaign," taekwondo coach Rocky Samson said. Part of the reason why boxer Harry Tañamor couldn’t get past his first fight Wednesday was the supposed burden of expectations that had been placed on his shoulders. The weight of winning gold also wrests heavily on Go and Rivero but Samson, who gives credit to psychologist Dr. Marissa Adviento for helping out in his wards’ mental preparations, has said the two RP jins are in a top form psychologically as they are physically. “So far, the pressure is there but it's very well managed," he said. – GMANews.TV