Pinoy jins look forward to OQT

SOUTHEAST Asian Games (SEAG) gold medalists Samuel Morrison, Kurt Barbosa and Pauline Lopez are shoo-ins in the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) slated for June 5 to 7 in Amman, Jordan.

Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) chairman for regional affairs and 30th SEA Games deputy chef de mission Stephen Fernandez told The Manila Times that Morrison, Barbosa and Lopez will make a strong contingent along with silver medalists Arven Alcantara and Kirstie Alora to the Olympic qualifiers.

Morrison, 29, seized a third straight gold in the biennial regional meet after ruling the men’s 80-kilogram division while Barbosa, 20, came through with a golden debut in the 54 kg category. Lopez, 23, captured a second SEAG gold in the women’s 57 kg group.

Alcantara bagged a silver in the men’s 68 kg while 2016 Rio Olympics bet Alora settled for a runner-finish in the women’s +73 kg.

Only four athletes — two males and two females — are allowed to join the Asian OQT, which was initially set in April in Wuxi, China, before getting rescheduled due to the coronavirus scare.

Fernandez said other SEAG medalists are also part of the national team pool for the qualifiers.

“They are the top five for the selection. However, we can still pick from the other medalists if the need arises,” the former Olympic bronze medalist jin told The ManilaTimes through a text message.

The other Filipino jins who shone in the SEAG are Dave Cea (gold 74 kg), Kristopher Uy (silver +87 kg), Rheza Aragon (silver 49 kg), Kurt Pajuelas (bronze 63 kg), Dex Ian Chavez (bronze 58 kg), Jessica Canabal (bronze 53 kg) and Veronica Graces (bronze 46 kg).

The athletes’ training was suspended last Wednesday due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Fernandez assured the jins are continuing their preparation at home.

“I’m sure that there are personal regimens assigned to them, at least in the confines of their respective dwelling places.”