Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Arven Alcantara bowed out of contention after losing to Ali Reza Abbasi of Afghanistan in the quarterfinal of men’s -68-kilogram event of the Asian Olympic Qualification tournament in Tai’an City, China last Friday.
Alcantara had a commanding lead after taking the first round, 18-11, but ran out of steam after Abbasi took the second, 4-3, and third round, 4-4, respectively.
The 27-year-old fighter previously defeated Nour Aldin Jaidani of Syria in the Round of 16 to earn a match with Abbasi.
Another Filipino entry, Tachiana Keizha Mangin also flubbed her bid in the women’s -57 kg after fading away in the semifinal round.
The country has two more chances of sending a bet to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Jessica Canabal (women’s -57kg division) and Tokyo Olympian Kurt Barbosa (men’s -57-kg) see action Saturday.
Only the top two fighters per weight category will be able to reach the Summer Games which starts on 26 July.
Philippine Taekwondo Association director Stephen Fernandez is hoping the delegation will have another Olympian in their delegation.
“I pray they make it,” Fernandez told DAILY TRIBUNE in an online conversation.
