Pauline Louise Lopez started her long journey to the next Olympics with a perfect ending in the 2016 Asian Taekwondo Championships.
“I’ve put in the hard work and trusted His (God’s) plan,” said Lopez, the first Filipino continental champion since Roberto “Kitoy” Cruz pulled off the feat 17 years ago.
The pretty 19-year-old based in Los Angeles, California redeemed herself Wednesday night after getting denied of a spot in the recent Olympic qualifier for this year’s Rio De Janeiro Olympics.
She frustrated reigning Asian Games champion Ah-Reum Lee of Korea, 8-6, to clinch the gold medal in the women’s -57kg division and embraced her teammates on the sidelines of the octagon at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom.
“This is what He gave me on the new road to Tokyo (in the 2020 Olympics),” said Lopez.
The 2014 Asian Youth Games and 2015 Southeast Asian Games champ jolted Lee, the sentimental favorite going in the finals, with an axe kick late in the second round that reversed the wheel of fortune for the Filipino-American after trailing early in the match.
“Before fighting, he (coach Igor Mella) kept telling me…nameless…faceless,” said Lopez, who came into the quarterfinals nursing a hurting knee. “I didn’t even care about my bracket. Whoever I faced, I just gave it my all.”
She got added inspiration from his father Efren Lopez Jr., a former national team member, who closely followed her exploits on television back in Los Angeles, California.
“My dad spoke to me and gave me the words that I needed to hear. He’s my role model, my trainer,” said Lopez, only the second Filipino jin who defeated a Korean in the continental championship after Ali Atienza did the trick in 1994.
She ended up with a bronze medal in the Olympic qualifying tournament last Sunday and missed the cut for the coming Rio de Janeiro Games.
In the semifinals, Lopez delivered an explosive turning jump kick with three seconds remaining to subdue a taller Mahsa Jeddi of Iran, 7-5.
With imminent defeat staring at her, the Korean tried to reverse the outcome in the final round but failed to connect with clear kicks.
“I kept myself composed in the last round,” said Lopez. I fought like I was the one behind.”