Taekwondo jin Lopez goes for shot at gold vs Chinese in semis

Taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez secured at least another bronze medal for the Philippines after making it to the semifinals of the women’s -57kg event in the 2018 Asian Games Tuesday at Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia.

Lopez dominated her way to the semis after overpowering Gyani Chunara of Nepal, 20-0, in the quarterfinals and Xiao Feng of Macau, 8-0, in the Round of 16.

The 22-year-old Lopez, who won the gold medal in thethe 2015 Southeast Asian Games, battles Zongshi Luo of China for a shot at her first Asiad gold.

Kirstie Alora, however, was sent into an early exit after bowing to Cansel Deniz of Kazakhstan, 8-7, in the first round of the women’s +67kg event.

Darlene Arpon, meanwhile, got outclassed in the quarterfinals of the women’s -67kg, 29-0, by Jandi Kim of Korea on Monday.

The Philippines currently has three bronze medals as of posting time.