Go, Rivero raring to go

BEIJING — The country’s top taekwondo official said Saturday that the so-called luck of the draw would not matter much in the coming competitions.

"Our two athletes are willing and ready to face anyone, top favorite or not, in the first round," said taekwondo association president Robert Aventajado in a phone call to newsmen.
He explained that even if you succeeded in avoiding meeting the favorites early, sooner or later you’re still going to face them.

"So it doesn’t really matter," he said. "Buti nga mas maaga mas magaling para mag-kaalaman na."

Because taekwondo competitions do not start until Aug. 20, jins Tonette Rivero and Tshomlee Go arrived only last Friday and did not join the big wave of Filipino athletes who flew in last Aug. 5.

The two immediately plunged into their training routine Saturday morning, doing warm up kicks and other exercises. In the afternoon, they will go to the tournament venue at the Beijing Science and Technology University.

Go will see action first in the 58kg division on Aug. 20, and Rivero will compete on Aug. 22. The draw will be made on Monday.

Both are one-day events, preliminaries and then moving on till the gold medal winner is chosen.
Aventajado is confident his players will be fit and ready for the competition.
I’m sure they will rise to the occasion," he said. "They know the load they are carrying."
It’s a heavy load, to be sure.

The two are hoping to win the country’s first medal after two fruitless campaigns in Sydney and Athens.

Adding to the pressure is the defeat of boxer Harry Tañamor, a medal hope, who lost his opening bout last Wednesday.

Without Tañamor, they are now in the forefront of the country’s bid to end the medal drought.
Rivero appears to be have the better chance than Go.

She nearly won a medal in Athens but was beaten by a Greek and then by the South Korean favorite.

Both her tormentors are back in Beijing. So, for Rivero, this is also a chance at redemption and revenge.

"She is more confident and unafraid of anyone," said Aventajado.
"Hindi sya takot sa Greek (Eli Mystakidou) and hindi na sya takot sa Korean (Hwang Kyoung Sun).

Tonette is specially prepared for the Korean," Aventajado said.

On the other hand, Aventajado said Go will just have to be careful against Taiwan’s Chu Mu-yen, gold medal winner of the Athens Olympics.