JAKARTA, Indonesia – Olympic jin Kirstie Elaine Alora made a shocking exit from the round of 16 after losing to Kazakhstan’s Cansel Deniz, 7-8, in the 2018 Asian Games on Tuesday, August 21. 

The 2014 Incheon Games bronze medalist gave up a total of 4 points by penalty, which proved crucial in her medal bid  in the +67kg taekwondo competition.

But looking ahead, Alora already has a list of things to do to sharpen her skills in future competitions, especially in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila. 

“Kulang pa yung court management ko. Yun na lang siguro kailangan kong ayusin and kailangan follow ups pa rin,” said Alora. 

(My court management is not enough. That’s what I have to fix and I need follow ups too.) 

“Siguro yung at least na kailangan ko pang gawin is ibaba yung timbang ko kasi medyo bumigat na rin ako. I think talagang may big factor din yun for me so yun talagang kailangan kong ayusin.” 

(I guess I can also shed some weight at least, because I also got heavier. I think that was a big factor for me so I have to address that too.) 

Alora may have fallen short in this Asiad campaign but she hopes that her coaches and the Philippine Taekwondo Federation will give her another chance in the 2019 SEA Games and even the Olympic qualifiers. 

“Mas gaganahan ka (sa Manila) dahil siyempre the crowd is cheering for you, talagang nakakaboost yung morale na yun compared to last SEA Games,” shared the 28-year-old jin, who hopes to represent the country again when Manila hosts the regional meet next year. 

(You’ll be more motivated in Manila because the crowd is cheering for you, it will give you a morale-boost, unlike in the last SEA Games.) 

And Alora won’t stop until she gets back to the top of Southeast Asian taekwondo. – Rappler.com