By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China –– The 19th Asian Games could be the swan song for taekwondo jins Kirstie Elaine Alora and Samuel Morrison even as the flamboyant Kurt Bryan Barbosa launches his bid for another Olympic journey.
After all, both Alora and Morrison have served the country with distinction, making them two of the most successful Filipino athletes with the former now on her 18th year as member of the national team.
Like Alora, Morrison is also 33-years-old and has been untouchable in the SEA Games, winning his fourth straight gold medal in the Cambodia SEA Games last May.
“This could be their last hurrah so we are hoping they go out with a bang,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association Secretary-General Rocky Samson. “They have served the country long enough and have produced numerous titles.”
A veteran of the Tokyo Games, Barbosa is determined to hurdle his Uzbek rival Omonjon Otajonov in the men’s -58kg on Monday, Sept. 25.
Heading into the Covid-delayed Asian Games, Alora surprised some of the world’s finest players when she reigned in the Korea Open by outclassing local ace Jung Sugee, 2-0.
Certainly, that will be an added motivation for the Rio Games veteran when she launches her title bid against Iran’s Anahita Tavakoli in the women’s +67kg division on Thursday.
Morrison starts what could be his farewell tour against Nepalese Jackie Yadav in the men’s +80kg category.
Whatever happens to what could be their “last hurrah,” both Alora and Morrison are grateful for the chance to don the national colors which they described as a “lifetime of experience” already.
