Lopez and Chris Martinez, training partners in Houston, matched up earlier in the day, with Lopez prevailing 4-0.“It is just like everyday in training," said Lopez. "We fight each other all of the time and it is just another day for us. I felt really strong and not injured at all. I was aware and awake. Everything was falling into place, my timing and my feet, everything.”The anticipated re-match in the finals ended with Martinez bowing out to Lopez, giving him the victory.“We fought our fight today and we fight everyday," Martinez said. "It is another day for us and he is the better man today.”
Added Lopez: “It is definitely a lot harder at the world competition and either one of us could have done a great job in Manchester to qualify for the United States. I just have to maintain my weight and keep on doing what I am doing. I am not going to go home and go celebrate and be happy because I still have something in front of me and that’s the next big thing.”Lopez will be in the stands on Friday cheering on older brother Steven and younger sister Diana, as they continue their quest to become the first three siblings to make a U.S. Summer Olympic Team since 1904.
“Their chances are really good," Mark said. "They are the reigning world champions and this will be a big stepping stone for them. They just need to go out and do their jobs. They cannot underestimate anyone even though we believe their calibers are way higher then anyone else. They cannot take anything for granted.”
Competition at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials for Taekwondo concludes on Friday with action in the female bantam/featherweight division and the male light/welterweight division.
THURSDAY'S RESULTS
Men's Bantam/Feather 1st Round James Moontasri def. Jesus Armendariz, 8-5 Gus Villa def. Nicolas Delgado, 4-3 Chris Martinez def. Richard Lee, 3-2 David Bartlett def. Christian Valencia, 6-5 Luis Reyes def. Christopher Tapuro, 2-1 Brian Gallagher def. Stepfon Westbrook, 2-1 James Howe def. Nir Moriah, 5-1
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