She suffered heartbreak when trying to qualify for Rio 2016 after losing her semi-final on home soil in Pasay, when victory would have booked her spot in Brazil.

Lopez, who competes in the under-57 kilograms category, was visibly upset after the home loss to Thailand's Phannapa Harnsujin.

National coach Japoy Lizardo unsuccessfully challenged the result which the home team considered controversial, but Lopez has seen success since then and won the Southeast Asian Games title last year.

"It's a dream to be in the Olympics," Lopez told Inquirer.

"When I didn't get it the last time, that ignited another fire in me to aim for the next one." 

Philippines did qualify one athlete for Rio 2016, as Kirstie Alora finished second in the women's over-67kg division.

Alora has not decided if she will compete in this year's Asian Qualification Tournament, scheduled for Wuxi in China between April 10 and 11.