TAEKWONDO jin Kurt Barbosa’s Olympic qualification meant a lot to him, especially during this pandemic.

“Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics means that despite everything that’s happening to us, all the struggles, hindrances and problems, we don’t give in chasing our dreams,” Barbosa said through the Philippine Taekwondo Association’s Facebook page yesterday.

“We remain resilient, and focus on the things that we want. Despite the odds, we manage to move forward every time and believe in ourselves that we can,” the 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist added.

Displaying nao-quit attitude, Barbosa posted a dramatic 50-49 win over Jordan’s Zaid Al Halawani in men’s -57 kgs. semifinals of the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in Amman, Jordan Saturday night.

A Bangued, Abra native, Barbosa became the first Filipino male taekwondo jin to make it to the Olympics since Tshomlee Go, who competed in the same weight class in the 2008 Beijing Games.

Barbosa looked like a goner after trailing 28-41, with 1:14 left in the third round.

Holding a five-point lead, the taller Al Halawani was 12 seconds away from securing a spot in Tokyo when Barbosa produced a clutch performance for the ages, unleashing three straight kicks to complete the come-from-behind victory that left the hometown bet stunned.

Barbosa, a UAAP Rookie-MVP from National University, followed up his 40-33 quarterfinal win over Mongolia’s Molomyn Tumenbayar.

Having trained inside the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna for four months, all sacrifices that the 21-year old Barbosa made inside the bubble was worth it.

“Who inspires me? Simply, my family as always, and all the people who support and believe in me because their non-stop support keeps me going and makes me believe in myself that I can do it, that I can do more! Also my beloved country, all the coaches and all the people behind the Association (PTA). Making them all proud is such an honor and satisfaction for me,” said Barbosa.

Kirstie Elaine Alora, meanwhile, missed in her bid for a second straight Olympics after a 5-27 loss to Svetlana Osipova of Uzbekistan in the women’s +67 kgs. semifinals.

Alora, the 2016 Rio campaigner, consoled herself with a bronze medal following a 9-7 win over Khalimova Mokhru of Tajikistan.

The Philippines’ other taekwondo bets Pauline Lopez and Arven Alcantara also failed to secure spots in the Tokyo Olympics.

Aside from Barbosa, the other Filipino athletes who have officially qualified for the coronavirus-stalled Tokyo Games are 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, rower Cris Nievarez, and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno.