Philippines’ Kirstie Elaine Alora (L) competes against Mexico’s Maria del Rosario Espinoza Espinoza during their womens taekwondo qualifying bout in the +67kg category as part of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on August 20, 2016, at the Carioca Arena 3, in Rio de Janeiro. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV
THE THIRD man on the mat usually goes unnoticed, but not for members of the Philippine taekwondo community eagerly waiting to see Ricky Santiago officiate the world’s best fighters in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
A former mainstay of the Philippine team, Santiago is in Rio as one of only 30 veteran international referees chosen from a base of about 5,000 worldwide.
“It was a process of going through the eye of the needle,” Santiago said as he related how he bagged the dream assignment.
Santiago was invited by the World Taekwondo Federation in April 2015 to join the top 200 Asian and Oceania international referees (IRs) to the Rio Olympic Selection Camp in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
His inclusion in the elite group of 200 was the result of past performance in other major international competitions. In the camp, the top IRs trained in center referee game management, electronic scoring and other aspects of officiating. They were given theoretical exams, physical tests including timed shuttle run and sprint, ladder drill, thorough medical exams including eye and ear tests and English proficiency exams.
“Shortly after, I received a letter from the WTF selecting me as one of the top 50 candidates for Rio,” Santiago said.
Of the 50, only 18 were Asians, Santiago said.
In May 2015, Santiago was invited to officiate in the Chelyabinsk, Russia World Championships as part of the evaluation process for the Rio Games.
“I was assigned a tough finals match between the 2012 London Olympic gold medalist Servet Tazegul of Turkey and the hometown Russian hero Alexey Denisenko and I thought I would be in hot water for the controversial match but nevertheless came out of it more seasoned,” Santiago said.
Santiago was officially given the Olympics portfolio last April via an appointment letter from WTF president Dr. Chongwon Choue to become one of only 30 Olympic international referees in Rio. Chet Espino, Contributor