Alora may time para makapaghanda

MANILA, Philippines - Umaasa si taekwondo coach Roberto Cruz na papabor kay Kirstie Elaine Alora ang ‘element of surprise’ para makopo ang gintong medalya sa Rio Olympics.

Itinuturing na underdog si Alora sa 16 competitors ng +67 heavyweight division.

Base sa Olympic qualifying system, ang world top six fighters ay awtomatikong pasok sa Olympics. Tig-dalawang slots ang pinaglabanan sa mga qualifying tournaments sa Europe, Africa, Pan America at Asia. Isang slot ang inilaan sa Oceania at ang huling slot ay para sa invited wildcard na si Nisha Rawal ng Nepal. Si Alora at ang Cambodian na si Sorn Seavmey ang nag-qualify para sa Asia.

“Elaine is one of the low ranked qualifiers,” sabi ni Cruz, taekwondo quarterfinalist noong 2000 Sydney Olympics nang unang maging medal event ang taekwondo.  “It’s an opportunity for us because scouts are focused on the favorites.  Nobody’s looking at Elaine.  It’s like what happened when she qualified last April.  Nobody expected her to qualify but out of nowhere, she made it. We’re hoping to surprise everyone in Rio.”

Kasama si Cruz at Alora ng malaking grupo ng Philippine delegation na umalis patungong Rio kagabi. Sa August 20 pa ang laban ni Alora na magbibigay sa kanya ng panahon para mag-training.

“Right now, Elaine weighs about 74 to 75 kilograms,” ani Cruz.  “We want her to go down to her fighting weight of 72 or 73.  We don’t want her to be too heavy.  She needs to be light and quick.  We’re following the strength and conditioning program set up by Jay Futalan.  We’ll train everyday in Rio like we do in Manila. I’ll spar with her. She’s up against the world’s best so she has to be at her peak.”

Ang anim na automatic qualifiers ay sina 2015 World Championships silver medalist Zheng Shuyin ng China, defending Olympic gold medalist Milica Mandic ng Serbia, 2015 World Championships gold medalist Bianca Walkden ng Great Britain, 2015 World Championships bronze medalist Jackie Galloway ng USA, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Gwladys Epangue ng France at 2008 Olympic gold at 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Maria Espinoza ng Mexico.

“Elaine’s morale is high,” sabi ni Cruz.  “She works extra hard in training, realizing this is a once in a lifetime experience.  It’s extremely difficult to qualify for the Olympics.  Last year, Elaine competed overseas only once or twice.  She couldn’t compete at the Southeast Asian Games because organizers took out the heavyweight ca-tegory.  Most of the Olympic qualifiers gain a lot of exposure fighting in open competitions, particularly in Europe.  That’s where they get points to improve their world ranking.  In Europe, it’s easy to participate in open competitions because the host countries are close to each other.”