Philippines Taekwondo Roars Back With Double Poomsae Medals

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Philippine taekwondo delivered a poomsae double at the Asian Games on Thursday, with 18-year-old Juliana Candelaria claiming silver and Jeus Yape adding bronze at Toyohashi Gymnasium.

Both podium finishes came just hours apart, giving the Philippines a major boost in the event. Taekwondo now has two Asian Games medals, both courtesy of poomsae.

Philippine taekwondo earned two Asian Games medals through Juliana Candelaria and Jeus Yape in poomsae. [POC Media pool]

Juliana Candelaria Wins Poomsae Silver on Asian Games Debut

Candelaria scored 9.1300 in the women’s individual final to finish second behind South Korea’s Jung Haeun, who won gold with 9.3100. Thailand’s Thitaree Kaewolanwasu took bronze with 9.0400.

Candelaria earned 9.2000 in the recognized poomsae routine before posting 9.0600 in the freestyle round. Her podium finish gave the Philippines its fifth silver medal of the Asian Games.

She joins Jean Claude Saclag (MMA), Marie June Adriano (karate), the women’s sepak takraw team and Amaya Amparo Cojuangco (archery) as the country’s other silver medalists. Together, the five account for the Philippines’ silver-medal haul so far.

“Amazing. I feel great about everything,” Candelaria told One Sports. “It’s such an amazing achievement for me. It’s my first Asian Games.”

Coach Rani Ortega credited the team’s collective effort for the podium finish. “Hard work really pays off, with the trust and teamwork of all of us,” Ortega said.

Jeus Yape Adds Men’s Poomsae Bronze for Team Philippines

Just hours after Candelaria’s silver, Yape scored 9.0900 in the men’s individual poomsae to secure third place. South Korea’s Yun Kyusung won gold with 9.3800, while Thailand’s Navin Pinthasute took silver with 9.2800.

Coach Jeordan Domingez credited Yape for overcoming the pressure of competing on the Asian stage. “I’m so happy for him,” Domingez said, adding that he was proud of how the athletes conquered their fear of pressure.

Yape told One Sports he was pleased with his performance and vowed to build on it. “I’ll just keep moving forward,” he said.

He now turns to virtual taekwondo, with a round-of-16 bout set for Friday at 10 a.m. Manila time. Taekwondo, backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, has two medals from poomsae.