Pauline Lopez wins Philippines' lone gold in Asian Taekwondo Championships

PAULINE Lopez claimed the country’s first and only gold medal in the 22nd Asian Taekwondo Championship after beating South Korea’s Lee Ah-Reum, 8-6, on Wednesday at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. Left in tears after coming one win short of a berth in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics days earlier, Lopez was on the winning end this time around as she beat the defending champion of the women’s -57kg division at the close of the Asian championship. “This...

Read More

Another Filipina qualifies for Rio Olympics as Ian Lariba books ticket through Asian table tennis qualifying in HK

IAN Lariba defied tough odds to become the first ever Filipino table tennis player to qualify for the Olympics. Lariba, a varsity player for La Salle in the UAAP, beat Indonesia’s Lilis Indriani, 11-6, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5, in the women’s singles on Saturday night in the 2016 ITTF-Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in Hong Kong to secure the 11th and final Olympic seat in her event. Lariba thus became the fifth Filipino athlete to earn a ticket...

Read More

Kirstie Alora qualifies for Rio 2016 after advancing to finals of Asia Olympic taekwondo qualifying tilt

KIRSTIE Elaine Alora claimed a berth in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics with a semifinal victory over top-seed Akram Khodabandeh of Iran on Saturday in the Asia Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Alora trounced a much-taller Khodabandeh, 10-3, in the women’s +67kg division bout to reach the finals, securing a spot in the Olympics this year with the top two finishers in each weight category earning a seat in Rio. Alora becomes the fourth Filipino to officially qualify for Rio along with Eric Cray of athletics, and Rogen...

Read More