Sunday, 10 January 2021
Taekwondo, boxing and karate athletes hoping to compete at Tokyo 2020 are taking part in a three-month, bubbled training camp in the Philippines to better their chances of competing at 2020 Olympics.
Athletes are staying in a bio-secure environment at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba.
Kirstie Alora, who competed at Rio 2016, was invited along with fellow taekwondo players Kurt Barbosa, Arven Alcantara, Butch Morrison and Pauline Lopez.
All five want to compete at Tokyo 2020, although the nation will be limited to a maximum of four fighters.
Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary general Rocky Samson added that three sparring partners will be in attendance as well as coaches Caloy Padilla, Luis de Mesa and Al Christian de la Cruz.
Published January 9, 2021, 1:07 PM
In this file photo, Filipina jin Pauline Lopez banners the Philippine flag after defeating Cambodia’s Aliza Chhoueng to bag the gold medal in women’s taekwondo featherweight finals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last December. (MB File Photo)
National taekwondo jins and coaches are expected to work double time to boost their training preparations in time for the Asian Qualification tournament for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary general Rocky Samson told
Manila Bulletin they are eyeing eight athletes to send in the training bubble the Philippine Sports Commission has organized at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna this month.