Rio Olympians Kirstie Alora (left) and Hidilyn Diaz during a roundtable discussion at College of St. Benilde. Photo by Bong Lozada
Filipino jin Kirstie Alora said she still feels the pain of losing in the gold medal match in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games two games ago.
But with new challenge coming up in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan from September 17-27, Alora is determined to leave her Malaysia frustrations behind.
A familiar face, though, could stand in her way once again with Cambodian Sorn Seavmey also in the competition and Alora is looking to turn in a different result if they meet.
“Of course it still hurts,” said Alora in a round table discussion at College of St. Benilde on Thursday. “But I need to move on and keep fighting because I might face her once more.”
“Right now, I want to beat her but the Aimag is bigger than the SEA Games and I want to get a podium finish.”
Seavmey beat Elora 13-6 in the final of the women’s kyorugi -73 kilogram event marking the fourth straight time the Filipina lost to her Cambodian opponent.
Alora, who will stay in her weight division, said her disappointment in the SEA Games will be her motivation come the Aimag.
“The Aimag is bigger than the SEA Games, and the loss was a learning experience for me.”