QUIETLY stacking up victories in both local and international competitions, Thomasian jin Tshomlee Go has been making his case as one of the top taekwondo athletes in the country. And with a Busan Asian Games bronze and a World Cup silver under his belt, few people seem to disagree.
At this stage in his young career, Go has often elicited comparisons to Philippine team stalwart and Sydney Olympian Roberto “Kitoy” Cruz. However, Go is quick to say that he would like to make his own mark.
“Iba iyong ginawa niya. Iba iyong gagawin ko,” he said.
Garnering accolades from all over, the 22-year old’s latest acquisition was the 2003 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, which he got after leading the Tiger Jins to their first championship since 2000.
The Tigers’ win spelled vindication for the Bicol native, who sat out two seasons after being adjudged ineligible for enlisting in the Philippine Air Force. To this day, Go still strongly disagrees with his disqualification.
“Gusto ko maglaro. Nung naglaro naman ako dati, meron namang ibang mga enlisted. Nung nakita nila (other competing schools) iyong (UST) line-up, naghanap sila ng butas,” he said.
During his absence from UAAP competition, the Secondary Education Senior had to content himself with stints in inter-school competitions.
Nevertheless, Go, who holds the rank of Airman second-class, said that things worked out for him in the end, managing to scrape by with his measly salary.
“Iyong kinikita ko sa Air Force, napupunta sa pagbayad ng tuition. Ganoon pala iyon, and sakit sa bulsa. Parang ang hirap i-abot iyong pera sa cashier,” he laughed.
Go got a break at the start of this past season. The UAAP board finally lifted sanctions on enlisted personnel, in the process allowing Go to rejoin the Tigers’ fold.
Starting out
Go took up the sport at the early age of seven. During the summer of 1990, Go enrolled with two of his brothers for taekwondo summer training sessions at the Grand Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.
“Noong simula, laro-laro lang. Hanggang sa nagustuhan ko na,” Go recalled.
Go had a rough start in tournament competition during his first few years as a jin. The first tournament where he saw action in was the 1991 National Taekwondo Championships, where he competed in the grade school division.
Despite running into problems early, Go persevered because of the influence of his brother Jefferthom, who is also a teammate of his in UST and the national team.
“Siya iyong inspiration ko. Noong grade school at saka juniors kasi, lagi akong talo,” he said. “Tapos, noong naglaro siya sa Palarong Pambansa, sabi ko ‘Ako rin, gusto ko ring marating iyon.’ Kaya nagsimula ako mag-practice araw-araw. Sinundan ko lang iyong mga yapak niya.”
Go eventually got his wish, earning a spot in the 1998 Palarong Pambansa held in Bacolod.
Coming out of high school, Go was hardly considered a hot recruit. The Philippine Pasay Chung Hua alumnus hooked up with the UST taekwondo varsity through his brother, who was a Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherhood batch mate of head coach Dindo Simpao.
Aspirations
“Isa lang ang goal ko. Gusto kong maging World Champion,” Go declared.
He got within an arm’s length of reaching that goal two years ago. However, Go came up short as he fell to Korean Yang Chang II with a 12-6 decision during the flyweight finals of the 2001 Taekwondo World Cup.
“Muntik na. Isa na lang,” Go lamented.
The biggest accolade at the moment would be a stint in the 2004 Athens Olympics. But despite recent victories in high-level competitions outside the country, Go isn’t assuming he’s due for a spot.
“Hindi ko ini-expect na kukunin ako para sa Olympics. Pinapabayaan ko na lang kung papalaruin ako. Basta practice lang ako,” he said.
Surprisingly, Go said he’s contemplating whether to continue competing after he finishes school. “Pinag-iisipan ko kung mag-re-resign ako (sa national team) pagkatapos ko mag-aral,” he said.
Go added that he’s bent on finishing his studies because he would like to keep his options open. “Ang taekwondo, ngayon lang iyan habang malakas. Pero kapag may edad ka na, mawawala rin. Iba kapag nakatapos ng pag-aaral.” Go explained.
After graduation, Go said he would like to pursue a career in the military. He said he plans to take tests to become a commissioned officer.
Despite this, Go said he’s not too keen on giving up taekwondo.
“Hindi na mamawala iyon sa akin. Kapag hindi kasi ako nakapag-practice, parang ang bigat sa katawan,” he said.
Go, who has proven himself to be one of the best in the collegiate ranks, takes the next step as he is set to fight for a slot in Athens at the Olympic qualifiers slated this December in Paris, France. Christian B. Bautista
