Philippines' Medal Hopes Ride on Wushu, Sanda, Triathlon

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NAGOYA, Japan — Three sports. One big Sunday. The Philippines’ medal hopes at the 20th Asian Games ride on wushu, sanda and triathlon.

Agatha Wong, a six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, headlines the wushu action. Jenifer Kilapio fights in the sanda quarterfinals. The five-member triathlon squad opens its campaign.

Team Philippines Chases Asian Games Medals [POC Media Pool]

Wushu and Sanda Chase Asian Games Medals

Wong, the nation’s top wushu bet, competes in the women’s taijiquan and taijijian events at Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall. She faces defending Asian Games champion Tong Xin of China. Brunei’s Basma Lachkar and Japan’s Shiho Saito are also in the field.

Wong won bronze at the 2018 Asian Games. She added silver at the 2023 World Championships and bronze at the 2025 edition. “My goal is simple. I just want to stand on that podium again,” she said.

Wong competes after Sandrex Gainsan and Mark Anthony Polo take part in the men’s changquan final. Both Filipinos are also aiming for medals. Later in the afternoon, Kilapio faces Indonesia’s Tharisa Dea Florentina in the women’s sanda 52-kilogram quarterfinals.

Agatha Wong leads the Philippines’ medal hopes in wushu as she competes in the Asian Games women’s taijiquan and taijijian events. [photo credit: Chengdu World Games 2025]

Philippine Triathlon Team Opens Asian Games Push

The squad held international training camps in Spain, Indonesia and China. It has completed course familiarization at the Gamagori City Triathlon venue in Aichi Prefecture. “They are all sharp and battle-ready,” Triathlon Philippines President Tom Carrasco said.

Fernando Casares, a two-time individual SEA Games champion, leads the men’s team with Kim Remolino and Iñaki Lorbes. The men’s race is set for 8:30 a.m. Japan time.

Kim Mangrobang, a four-time individual SEA Games titlist, and Raven Alcoseba anchor the women’s campaign at 11 a.m. The team is without top bet Kira Ellis, who withdrew after suffering injuries in a road accident during a training camp in France.

The Philippines’ best Asian Games finish in the event is seventh. The team turns to the mixed relay Monday, where it stands a good chance after its gold-medal sweep at last year’s SEA Games in Thailand.

Team Philippines competes with support from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said in his Asiad message that “the whole nation rallies behind our athletes.”