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Taekwondo: Lopez siblings fighting on

Thu 21st, August 2008

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - American Mark Lopez advanced to the gold medal match in the men's taekwondo 68-kilogram class on Thursday, while sister Diana won her repechage match to remain in the hunt for a bronze medal in the women's 57 kg class.

Mark Lopez scored a 3-1 victory over Peru's Peter Lopez (no relation) in the semifinals, moving on to face Korea's Son Taejin in the gold medal match later Thursday.

Diana Lopez, after taking a 3-1 loss to Turkey's Azize Tanrikulu in the quarterfinals, rallied for a 1-0 win over Teo Elaine of Malaysia in a repechage bout to move on to the bronze medal match.

The 24-year-old Diana is the younger sister of Mark and Steven Lopez, who is also competing in Beijing. Another brother, Jean, is their coach.

The three Lopezes are the first trio of siblings to compete in the same Olympics in 104 years.

Steven Lopez, the oldest brother and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will begin fighting in the men's 80 kg class on Friday. He has not lost a bout in five years.

Mark Lopez's win in the semifinals was sparked by a punching blow to his opponent's neck in the first period, giving him a 1-0 lead. Peter Lopez countered with a point to tie it, but the American Lopez scored right after on a high kick to take the lead again.

After a scoreless -- but not idle -- second period, Mark Lopez scored on a high kick in the third period for a 3-1 advantage. It would remain the final score.

The two competitors are also roommates.

"He's just another person," Mark Lopez said after the win. "I just went in there like any other fight."

Before taking to the mat for her repechage match, Diana Lopez vented her frustration with her quarterfinals opponent.

"I thought I put pressure on her the whole time and she was a little scrappy, but I stayed to my game," said Lopez. "She was falling down here and there. But that's the name of the game. That's taekwondo."

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