4 Phl jins eye Olympic berths in World qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Four battle-tested members of the Smart national taekwondo team seek berths in next year’s London Olympic Games when they compete in the 2011 World Qualification Tournament slated June 25-July 4 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The four, all medalists in various international tournaments, are John Paul Lizardo, who is vying in the under 58 kilogram elimination; Marlon Avenido (under 80 kg), Jyra Marie Lizardo (under 49 kg) and Jade Zafra (under 57 kg).

“Our fighters will be pitted against the best from around 103 other countries. They know how tough the tournament is going to be but they are confident of making the Olympics because of their experience and long preparation,” said delegation head and Philippine Taekwondo Association vice president Sung Chon Hong.

Also accompanying the four Filipino jins are team manager Rocky Samson, Korean coach Kim Hong Sik and international referee Roland Campos.

The 24-year-old John Paul Lizardo boasts the best record among the four. He won a silver medal each in the 2010 Asian championships, the 2009 Southeast Asian Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic test event and a bronze medal each in the 2010 Asian Games and 2008 Asian championships, both in China.

Avenido, 21, bagged a gold medal in the 2009 ASEAN championships in Vietnam, a silver in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos and 2009 Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand and a bronze in the 2010 Asian championships.

Jyra Lizardo, 18-year-old sister of John Paul, copped a bronze each in the SEA Games (Laos), 2010 Korea Open and 2008 Asian championships and made it to the quarterfinals of the world championships.

Zafra, 20, won a silver in the 2009 ASEAN event and a bronze in the 2010 Korea Open.

Among the countries participating in the world qualifying event are Korea, Spain, the United States, France and Turkey.

The Smart team’s trip is backed by SMART Communications, PLDT and the Philippine Sports Commission.