Olympians step up Rio preparations

Ian Lariba of table tennis and Elaine Alora of taekwondo are scheduled to compete in tournaments abroad within the next two months as part of their respective preparations for the Rio Olympics in August.

Lariba will play in the Japan Open in Tokyo on June 13 to 19, followed by the Korean Open on June 23 to 28 and the ASEAN University Games in Singapore on July 9 to 19, while Alora is seeing action in the Korean Open International Taekwondo Championships in Gyeongju on June 26 to July 5.

Both female Olympians earned their spots in Rio last month, with Lariba emerging as the first Filipino table tennis player ever to qualify for the Summer Games through an Asian tournament in Hong Kong, and Alora earning her berth after the Asian Olympic qualifier held on home soil.

The two athletes expect stiff competitions in their respective meets but are hoping to make an impact in the Brazilian capital.

“I hope that I can give the best version of my game in the Olympics. Everything will follow naman after that,” said Lariba in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate, four days after being named as co-Athlete of the Year by the UAAP.

“Malaking bagay din yung ma-expose kami with other foreign players during our Olympic preparations, but we are also cautious na hindi ma-injured. We want to be in our best shape pagdating sa Olympics,” added Alora, who will be competing in the +67kg weight class.

At the moment, Lariba is concentrating on improving her consistency, endurance and strategy as most of her rivals appeared unpredictable during matches. She trains six to seven hours every day.

Alora, for her part, is focused on her speed and techniques when she trains three times a day, sparring with her tall, male teammates.