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By Llanesca T. Panti, Reporter
CRASHING into the winning circle of the Olympics
is what the 15-strong Philippine team is raring to do in Beijing
come August.
“It’s time to win,” said boxer Harry Tañamor,
who successfully hit the comeback trail after serving a suspension
two years ago. “Playing in the Olympics is a rare opportunity, so
I’m going to make the most out of it.”
The biggest stumbling block for the
five-foot-four light welterweight bet is Zou Shiming, who routed him
in their gold-medal match in the world championship, 3-16.
“I’m more knowledgeable on various
techniques and tactics now,” said Tañamor, who is trained by
Cuban coach Enrique Esteyers.
Archer Mark Javier, who broke into the Olympic
roster by topping the Asian Continental Archery held in Xian
province in China last year, is also upbeat.
“Winning an Olympic medal is not impossible.
It’s just a matter of having the proper mindset,” said Javier, a
first-time Olympian.
Second-time Olympian Tshomlee Go, who lost to
Spain’s Juan Ramos, 6-7, in the 2004 Athens Games, has that proper
mindset.
“No matter how hard it would be, I love my
craft so much and I’ll be out there to win this time,” Go said.
The country’s last Olympic medal came from
boxing courtesy of Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, who captured a
silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
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