Hope for the jins

The bad news on opening day of the Athens Olympics put a quick damper on the hopes of Team Philippines. Now, the main focus will be on the taekwondo jins who will be seeing action in three weight categories. Whatever the outcome of the games, this lean contingent packs a pretty big kick.

"The athletes came from two and a half months of training in Korea, and then we returned to the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center (on the Ateneo de Manila campus) for another month of training," explains coach Jobet Morales. "They’ve been undergoing strengthening, conditioning, nutrition and psychological training."

The man carrying the brunt of the pressure will be Donald Geisler III, who entered the sport 18 years ago at the tender age of seven, when his father enrolled him in a class in Angeles City. Given his age, this may turn out to be Geisler’s last Olympics.

"We’re very, very prepared," he told The Star. "We’ve had too much training in Korea. I think our chances are very good to get a medal. In my weight division (light welterweight), my toughest opponents will probably come from Europe, Iran and the US, because he’s the former Olympic champion in my weight."

Geisler will be sharing his experience with first-timers Tshomlee Go (competing in the under 59 kilogram category) and Toni Rivero (participating in the women’s under 67 kilogram division). Like Geisler, Go was enticed into the sport by his father, until he gradually became encouraged to do it competitively.

"I was inspired by my elder brother, because he was the first to make it to the national team," Go revealed. "I said I also wanted that. I finally made the team in 2000. Now, we’ve learned all the latest techniques, so I think we’re really prepared."

Rivero, a 5’8" 16-year old, will be carrying memories of watching her older brothers spar against each other as her inspiration. Whatever happens, she has already brought her family even more pride, and has a long career ahead of her.

"Coach Jobet encouraged me to join," Rivero recalls. "We have a big chance to win a gold medal, because we got a chance to see our opponents prepare in Korea. At least, we have some clue to what their moves are so, yeah, we have a big chance."

The luck of the draw will always be a major factor, but, among the three, Rivero may face he weakest field in her weight class.

"For Donnie and Tshomlee, it will be Iran and some of the European countries, because they don’t have a Korean opponent," Morales elaborates. "For Toni, she has a Korean opponent, but she’s matched her in training in Korea, so she’s been able to gauge her opposition for the coming Olympics."

"I hope our people would understand how hard it is even just to qualify for the Olympics," Geisler prays. "We just hope for their prayers and support."

"It all depends on the players," Go says. "If they really want it, they’ll do their best. No matter how much you practice, if you hesitate when you get there, it’s useless. It really depends on the player."

"In the past, we lacked certain techniques," admits Rivero. "That’s why we can’t produce a gold medal. This time, we’re very prepared. I hope our people pray that we win a medal in the Olympics."

With the quick exit of Christopher Camat, and the poor showing of our swimmers, let’s also pray they don’t succumb to the added pressure of being the last ones standing.