Alora says speed will be crucial

TAKING on male spar mates and training three times a day, Elaine Alora is leaving no stone unturned for the Rio Olympics.

Training thrice a day and sparring against members of the national men’s team, the 26-year-old Alora said she is pouring everything to deliver the country’s first medal in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August by putting premium on speed and strength.

“I feel that this is my time, and I want to represent the Philippines in the best possible way,” Alora told the Inquirer. “I will give it my best that’s why we do everything in training.”

Alora trains from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Speed is the base of my training so I can engage faster,” said Alora who has male sparring mates taller than her.

The entire Philippine team, including Alora, will compete in the Korea Open from June 26 to July 7. That would be her only foreign exposure before flying to Brazil.

“It would be nice to have other Filipino taekwondo jins in Rio but for now I will make the most of what I have,” added Alora, the first Filipino jin in the Olympics since Tshomlee Go and Toni Rivero in 2008.

She previously tried to make the Olympic cut in 2008 and 2012, but felt “this is the perfect timing for me.”

In Rio, Alora said she expects tough competitions from Korean, Chinese and European bets.