Brin rips Thai, captures gold

TAEJON City, South Korea - Sydney-bound Romeo Brin capped his remarkable stint in the second Asian Olympic qualifying tournament by winning the light welterweight gold at the close of the event Wednesday here.

But the victory didn't come easy for the 26-year-old Army sergeant from Puerto Princesa City, who had to pull off a 6-5 win over Riantuthong Pongsak of Thailand to bag the gold before a huge crowd inside the Chung Mu Stadium.

"Naubusan ako ng hangin sa ring pero pinilit ko talaga. Mahirap na panalo pero ang mahalaga, nakuha ko rin ang ginto," said Brin, whose victory in the semis netted him a berth in the Sydney Olympics along with flyweight Arlan Lerio and lightweight Larry Semillano, who made the grade in the first qualifier last year in Uzbekistan.

The hosts took five slots at the close of the week-long qualifier followed by Thailand and India with three each.

Light flyweight Danilo Lerio, bantam Roel Laguna and welterweight Junie Tizon and featherweight Ramil Zambales failed in their respective bids.

"Wala akong masasabi sa mga bata, lalo na kay Brin. Talagang nagtrabaho sila dito kahit na napakarami ng problemang naharap sa amin tulad ng sobrang lamig at yung mga questionable scoring ng mga judges," said team manager Mike Lopez.

"Talagang inisip ko na lamang na kailangang manalo ako para sa aking bansa, sa aking asawa at sa aking anak," Brin said.

"Hindi ko na inisip yung mga masasakit na suntok ng mga kalaban. Inisip ko na lamang na ito ay para sa bansa at para sa ABAP, at sa tulong ng Diyos, nakamit naman natin ang malaking karangalang ito. Ito ay galing sa suporta ng mga Lopezes at ng coaching staff at kapwa ko manlalaro," Brin added.