Geisler, Rivero make it to Athens

Geisler and Rivero, both fighting in the welterweight class, bagged a silver medal each in the recent Asian qualifying tournament in Bangkok, to join flyweight Tshomlee Go as the country’s campaigners in the Athens taekwondo competition.

Geisler, one of four Filipino representatives in the Sydney Olympics four years ago, booked his second Olympic stint by besting New Zealand’s Harmihs Wybrow, 8-0; Singapore’s Tze Chap Toh, 13-3; and Australia’s Daniel Trenton, 10-9.

Trenton won a silver when taekwondo made its debut as an Olympic medal sport in Sydney.

Rivero, 16-year-old St. Paul’s Pasig star, whipped Indonesia’s Cinta Herru Berliana, 4-3, and New Zealand’s Caroline Bartasek, 4-1.

Go was the first Filipino jin to earn an Olympic slot in Athens. He did it by competing in the world qualifying tournament in Paris last Dec. 4-7.

"Our (three) athletes made a splendid performance against tough, veteran rivals," said Philippine Taekwondo Association vice president Sung Chon Hong. "I’m proud of them."

PTA president Robert Aventajado congratulated the three Olympic-bound jins. He’s optimistic that Geisler, Rivero and Go would do well in Athens.

Aventajado feels that taekwondo may yet deliver the country’s first Olympic gold.

Four years ago, Geisler, Roberto Cruz, Eva Marie Ditan and Jasmin Strachan competed in the Sydney