South Korea’s Jang Jun (Blue) and Philippines’ Kurt Bryan Barbosa (Red) compete in the taekwondo men’s -58kg elimination round bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Tokyo on July 24, 2021. (Photo by Javier SORIANO / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Inspired by Hidilyn Diaz’s golden performance, Tokyo Olympian Kurt Barbosa believes his time will also come.
Diaz is also keeping faith.
“Balang araw ako din,” Barbosa wrote on Twitter shortly after Diaz, the weightlifting queen, claimed the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal Monday night.
(I will also win someday.)
BALANG ARAW AKO DIN 🙏🏼🥇☺️
— KURT BARBOSA OLY✯ (@kurtesyyyyyy) July 26, 2021
The 30-year-old Diaz gave Barbosa, the country’s lone taekwondo bet in Tokyo, a simple “Yes” as a seal of approval.
Barbosa, 22, responded with a congratulatory post and described Diaz as his “inspiration” and “idol.”
CONGRATS MY INSPIRATION IDOL!! 🙏🏼💪🏼🥇💯 https://t.co/u3HuAgH1RH
— KURT BARBOSA OLY✯ (@kurtesyyyyyy) July 27, 2021
Barbosa bowed out of contention early after he lost to world No. 1 Jang Jun of Korea, 26-6, in the men’s -58kg opener.