Rivero doubtful for Guangzhou

MANILA, Philippines - Taekwondo’s Marie Antoinette Rivero, one of the country’s brightest medal hopes in the coming Asian Games in Guangzhou, may be out of the quadrennial event due to injury.

Rivero, the 20-year-old veteran of the 2004 Athens nd 2008 Beijing Olympics, reportedly suffered an ACL injury while competing in South Korea as part of her Asiad preparations.

Jose Romasata, chef-de-mission of the Philippine team to Guangzhou, broke the news late last night.

“Sad news. Toni is injured and may be out of the Asian Games,” said Romasanta, adding that Rivero, a silver medalist in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, came home last night from South Korea aided by crutches.

“The MRI tests in Korea showed an ACL injury. But they are getting a second opinion here in Manila. We’re hoping for the best. We’re hoping that it’s not as bad as it seems,” said the RP team chef-de-mission.

Rivero competed in the 67 kg class of the Beijing Olympics but lost 4-1 to Croatian Sandra Saric in a first-round bout. In Athens, she came so close to a silver medal but was beaten by Elisavet Mystakidou of Greece in a tight contest.

She eventually lost to Hwang Kyung Sun from Korea in the battle for the bronze, leading to a medal-less performance for the Philippines.