RIO DE JANEIRO: American taekwondo veteran Steven Lopez overcame pre-fight nerves to keep his dream of becoming the ancient Korean combat sport's oldest Olympic champion alive in Rio on Friday.
The 13th seed, champion in Athens and Sydney, shrugged off his 37-years to see off Russian fourth seed Albert Gaun in the first round and avoid the fate that befell him four years ago.
In London 2012 he crashed out in his first fight, only disclosing later that his preparations had been hampered by a broken foot.
"The only thing I've asked God is to give me my health and to be able to go out there and perform at my best," Lopez said after the early morning win at Rio's Carioca Arena in the Barra Olympic Park.
Despite competing at his fifth Games - he picked up bronze in Beijing to add to his 2000 and 2004 titles - the Nicaragua-born star admitted to suffering pre-fight butterflies in his stomach.
"I had to pray and just smile to remind myself this is what I love to do.
"I'm here to enjoy it but nonetheless those nerves are still there just like they were when I was a little kid.
"The only thing is to manage those nerves, just so long as I go out there and enjoy myself I think it's going to be a great day."
Lopez will face Lutalo Muhammad in the quarter-finals after the British number one breezed through his opener 14-0 against Australian Hayder Shkara.
The tall, imposing Muhammmad declared he is in Rio for only one purpose.
"I came here for gold so it's gold or bust for me," said the 25-year-old from the London borough of Walthamstow.
The fifth seed in Rio was controversially chosen over the then-British number one Aaron Cook for the London Games.
After a falling out with the British taekwondo powers that be Cook took dramatic action, switching nationalities to fight under the Moldovan flag.
He could meet Muhammad in the final, which would be taekwondo's greatest ever grudge match with bad blood simmering between the pair since the 2012 selection row.
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