Phl jins get acid test for Summer Games

The Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) is using its campaign in the 20th Asian Games as a yardstick for its preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

PTA secretary general Rocky Samson said they now have a clearer picture of what needs to improve as they shoot for a historic campaign in the Summer Games.

The last time a Filipino competed in the taekwondo competition of the Olympics was in 2021 in Tokyo. But Kurt Barbosa’s stint was hardly felt as he made a quick exit following a 6-26 setback to former world champion Jang jun of South Korea in the Round of 16 of the men’s -58-kilogram class.

Prior to Barbosa, the PTA has been consistently sending representatives to the Olympics with Kirstie Alora in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and Tshomlee Go and Mary Antonette Rivero in Beijing in 2008.

Samson said their stint in the Asian Games is an eye-opener on what to expect in the Olympics.

“The Olympic level is apparently the same as the Asian level. In taekwondo, the medalists in the Olympics actually come from Asian countries,” said Samson, noting that Asians are the best in taekwondo due to the sport’s Korean origin.

“So this performance somehow shows us, or gives us an indication of the level of our performance as we try to qualify for the Olympic Games. We will study the mistakes and see what needs to be done.”

Taekwondo served as a source of pride for Team Philippines in the just-concluded Asian Games.

Jeus Yape delivered a pair of medals — a gold in virtual taekwondo and a bronze in poomsae — to emerge as the most decorated athlete while Barbosa joined young guns Juliana Candelaria, and Tachiana Mangin on the medal podium to underscore the federation’s impressive performance of one gold, three silvers and a bronze medal.

Samson knows the road to Los Angeles will be difficult, but they will do their best to stay ready.

“There’s Korea, Iran, Chinese Taipei, China, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan,” Samson said.

“They’re strong. They’re the ones at the top,” Samson said, adding that the first few steps to the Summer Games will be taken during various Olympic qualification tournaments ahead.