Filipina jin Kirstie Alora sets sights on 2020 after bowing out of Rio Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Kirstie Elaine Alora was left in in tears after she exited the Olympic taekwondo competitions, ending the Philippine campaign in Rio. But Alora says that the losses will serve as a lesson for her and fuel her to do better as she eyes a return in the Tokyo Olympics. “Another sad moment na second chance ko na pero still, parang pinagkait sa akin. Siguro kailangan ko pa na ’wag itigil ’yung journey ko sa pagtataekwondo,” said...

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Eric Cray falls short of reaching Olympic 400m hurdles finals after finishing seventh in semifinals

RIO DE JANEIRO - Eric Cray bowed out of the semifinals of the Olympic 400-meter hurdles on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro (Wednesday, Manila time). The Fil-American track athlete clocked 49.37 for a disappointing seventh in the first semifinal, failing to match or much less surpass his 49.05 in the qualifying heats two days ago after failing to clear one hurdle. American Kerron Clement topped the first of three semifinal races with a 48.26-second...

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Marestella Torres claims she hurt hip after awkward landing in long jump warmups

RIO DE JANEIRO — Marestella Torres-Sunang said she hurt her left hip during warm-ups and she ended up jumping a little too cautious in the competition proper of the women’s long jump in the Olympics on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time). “Hindi ako maka-atake ng husto. Pinipigilan ko kasi kapag binibilisan ko ‘yung takbo ko, may sumasakit,” said Torres-Sunang. The three-time Olympian failed to reach the finals after coming up with a disappointing...

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German Olympic canoe coach dies in Rio after taxi crash

A German canoe slalom coach dies after suffering serious head injuries in a taxi accident at the Rio Olympics RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - A German canoe slalom coach died on Monday, August 15 after he suffered serious head injuries in a taxi accident at the Rio Olympics, team officials said. Stefan Henze, 35, a former world champion and 2004 Olympic silver medallist, died in hospital surrounded by close family members. German...

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PH Olympic bet Eric Cray advances to 400m hurdles semifinals

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Filipino-American trackster Eric Crayqualified for the semifinals of the men's 400m hurdles in the 2016 Summer Olympics on Monday, August 15 in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. The 27-year-old Cray, born to a Filipina mother in Olongapo City and an American father but raised in Texas, finished third in heat 4 of round 1 of competition with a time of 49.05 seconds. His personal best time is 48.98...

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PH marathoner Tabal refused to quit despite Rio heat

'Others were collapsing on the road. Sometimes I also wanted to stop already but I forced myself to finish,' says Olympian Mary Joy Tabal RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Mary Joy Tabal of the Philippines could not handle Brazil’s noontime heat Sunday and finished way outside her targeted time in the women’s marathon of the Rio Olympics. Tabal aimed at surpassing her personal best of two hours 43 minutes and 31 seconds in the race that started...

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PH golfer Tabuena falls further behind after round 3

FLAG AND COUNTRY. Miguel Tabuena has not found his form in Rio. Photo by Erik S Lesser/EPA MANILA, Philippines - Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena fired a two-over 73 for round 3 on Saturday, August 14 (Sunday Manila time) to fall further out of contention as golf continues at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tabuena, 21, entered the penultimate day of golf competition at 6-over after two rounds...

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Mary Joy Tabal bares almost giving up on Olympic dream but vows to break own record in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO—Mary Joy Tabal is looking to make the most out of her Olympic stint, which nearly didn’t materialize, by putting on a respectable finish in the women’s marathon. Tabal qualified here after making the standard at a meet in Ottawa, which she bared was not part of her schedule. Initially, Tabal had given up hopes of a stint in Rio after failing to qualify for the Olympics through the Boston Marathon last April where the Cebuana...

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‘Diesel’ Marestella seeks Olympic atonement

photo (c) Philippine Star RIO DE JANEIRO—Marestella Torres-Sunang compares herself to a diesel engine during competitions. She attains power to the max after a sufficient warmup. The three-time Olympian attempts to atone for her below-par performances in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 when she vies in the long jump event of athletics, which fires off on Aug. 12 at the iconic Maracana Stadium here. “I have a problem with warmups because entries...

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Hidilyn Diaz targets gold at 2020 Olympics

ANOTHER GO. Hidilyn Diaz plans a return to the Olympics when it goes to Tokyo. Photo by Jedwin M Llobrera/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Filipina Olympian Hidilyn Diaz just entered her name in the record books of Philippine sports history, thanks to her performance in the 2016 Rio Olympics, but she’s already aiming for even higher goals when the next summer games arrive in 2020. Diaz, who won the silver...

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