PAULINE Lopez won’t be taking a long break after winning the gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Lopez said she has been invited to compete in the World Taekwondo Grand Slam set Dec. 18 to 20 in Wuxi, China, along with Arven Alcantara and Kurt Barbosa.
“You can only go to this tournament when you are ranked high or if you qualify so we did. So right after this, we'll probably have a day break and go straight to training and compete,” said Lopez.

Lopez doesn’t mind the very short break, though, as she is eager to train again after winning the -57kg gold in the SEA Games.
“Why not,” Lopez said. “I have to go back to the gym. There are some adjustments to be made and I’m more than eager to go back to the gym. Will take the break but I’m excited to go back,” said Lopez.
Lopez won the gold after she beat Chhoeung Aliza of Cambodia, 12-4, to capture his second mint in the SEA Games, winning the first in 2015 in Singapore.
“It just feels amazing. I’m still in shock and awe. I just keep on remembering the blood, sweat, and tears that we’ve been through, and the hard, hard training. All paid off today,” said Lopez.
Even though she recently won a bronze medal in the Asian Games last year in Jakarta, Lopez said she was determined to regain the SEA Games gold this year after settling for a bronze medal in Kuala Lumpur in 2017 at a higher weight category of 62kg.
“It was like every time I watch my fight and seeing the videos (of my fights), I’m getting pushed to really go hard in training so I could get that and step on that gold medal podium again,” she added.

Lopez captured the gold in front of the home fans that packed the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. More important though is the fact that she won the SEA Games gold in front of her parents.
“It means so much to me. One, because it’s homecourt. Two, it’s the first time my parents are watching me compete internationally after 10 years. It’s very meaningful to me,” Lopez said.
“Everyone is supporting and you hear the crowd. It gave me so much boost, so much motivation and inspiration. Although I was so focused when I was fighting, I didn’t really hear the cheers but it’s when I would win, I would hear the crowd going crazy. It’s just awesome,” said Lopez.
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