Jins seek golden wins as Lopez, Romero yield

NAY PYI TAW – The national taekwondo team will be pinning its gold medal hopes on its last five jins at the close of competitions today as young Pauline Louise Lopez and Paul Romero settled for bronze medals in their respective events in the 27th Southeast Asian Games here.

Mary Angela Pelaez, Kristie Alora, Jane Narra, Francis Agojo and Kristopher Uy step on the mat today in their quest for at least one gold medal to add to the gold of Jade Zafra in the women’s under 57kg and the men’s poomsae team composed of brothers Djustin and Raphael Mella and Vidal Marvin Gabriel.

Lopez lost to Thanh Thao Nguyen of Vietnam, 0-4, in the women’s under 53kg category while Romero dropped a 4-6 decision to Ryan Chong Wu Lunn of Malaysia in the men’s under 63kg semifinals at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium here.

Lopez bowed to a more aggressive Vietnamese, who landed lightning-quick kicks to her body a number of times.

“She’s always on the attack but Pauline got hit in the body several times,” said Roberto Cruz, who mentors the 18-year Lopez, gold medalist in the second Asian Youth Games two months ago.

Romero broke a 6-all count with three clear blows to beat Mohammad Fathullah Mohammad Taib of Brunei, 9-6, but he lost to Malaysian Riyan Chong Wy Lunn and settled for the broze in taekwondo.

Ma. Isabelle Erika Mora lost to a taller, speedier Thai veteran Phannapa Harnsijin, 0-13, in the quarterfinal and dropped out of the medal round of the 46-49 kg in taekwondo.

A gold medalist in the Asean Taekwondo Championship in 2008, Romero jumped to an early start as he connected with a kick in the Malaysian’s face.

But the Malaysian unleashed a head kick before scoring on another hit on the chest to knot the count at 4-all in the second round.

Then, Lunn planted a side kick and nailed another one at the body, prompting Romero to chase him in the dying moments of the third round in a desperate bid to turn things around.

“He was very aggressive. However, the counter attacks of that Malaysian were lethal,” said Philippine taekwondo coach Dindo Simpao.