Go, Rivero both ready to kick in Olympics

August 15, 2008

BEIJING — The two Filipino taekwondo jins checked in at the Village shortly before noon yesterday, greeted and welcomed by the remnants of what started as a 37-strong Philippine team competing in the 29th Olympic Games here.

Ushered in like a long-lost brother and sister, Tshomlee Go and Mari Antoniette Rivero immediately found the enormity of the task at hand when they see action starting next week.

With boxer Harry Tanamor gone after a terrible loss to a Ghanian fighter a few nights ago, it’s now the turn of Rivero and Go to deliver a medal in their respective events where they’re respected by the rest of the world, and end the Philippines’ years of futility in this mother of all sporting spectacles.

And the two are aware that the work ahead is no laughing matter.

“I understand the pressure. We are excited and eager to compete. But we’ll do our best. I’m sure of that,” said Rivero, smiling and answering every question from Filipino sportswriters who talked to her.

As enthusiastic is Go, who is making his second Olympic appearance like Rivero.

“We’re going to do what we came here for. And that’s to do our best for the country. Focused kami dito and we’re ready to play,” said Go, looking every bit different from the fighter who bombed out right on his first bout four years ago in Athens.

The two arrived after a rough four-hour trip via a Philippine Airlines jet from Manila, accompanied by coaches Raul Samson and Korean Kim Sok Hik.

The team was met at the spanking-new Beijing international airport by RP officials led by press officer Joey Romasanta and administrative officer Moying Martelino.

After spending a few minutes filling up some forms at the reception room of the huge Olympic Village, home to the athletes up to the last day of the 17-day meet, Rivero and Go rested for a while before taking their lunch.

Seen greeting them at the reception hall were swimmers Miguel Molina and JB Walsh, archer Mark Javier, some coaches and a few other Team Philippines officials.

Weightlifter Hidylin Diaz and shooter Eric Ang have come back to Manila, a few days after bombing out in their respective events. Home, too, were coaches Ramon Solis of weightlifting and James Chua of shooting.

Four years ago in Athens, Rivero reached as far as the semifinals where she lost to hometown favorite Elizabeth Mystakadou in a thrilling fight, 2-3. In the repechage, she dropped a 2-6 decision at the hands of Korean Kyung Sung Wang, who eventually won the bronze medal.

Go got booted out right on his first Olympic fight, losing to Spain’s Juan Antonio Carlos, 6-7.

In this Olympiad, the two Filipino jins, who have gone through a long, tedious buildup that included stints in a number of world tournaments, have been rated highly by a panel of experts and writers here.

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