Though it's going to be the first experience for Miguel Adrian Ferrera Rodriguez from Honduras in the Olympics, the 27-year-old taekwondo player sets his target on medal.
"Everyone has a chance at Olympics," said Rodriguez, who will compete in men's 80kg category at the Beijing Games. Rodriguez was in the second place at the Pan American qualification events.
As he is the only taekwondo player from Honduras, he was training with the Cuban taekwondo team, often along with the female player Daynellis Montejo.
"She is very good," Rodriguez said of his training partner, adding that she moves faster than him. It's the third time for them to train together at the Olympic venue of the Capital Institute of Physical Education.
"When I need to practise my strength, I won't do it with her," he said.
He said the Cuban taekwondo team, which is closed from media, is very strong with the presence of an Olympic champion and a world champion.
Angel Valodia Matos, gold medalist at Sydney Olympics, will compete in the men's over 80kg division, and Gessler Viera, gold medalist in 2007 Taekwondo World Championships, is in men's 68kg class.
Rodriguez had been trained for two weeks in Cuba with the national taekwondo team in September.
"I've learned many things from them and improved a lot," he said.
Rodriguez came to Beijing early to get accustomed to the facilities, food and time difference. "I love Chinese food," he said.
The Olympic taekwondo competitions will begin on August 20.
(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)