Judo Heartbreak: PH Goes Home Empty-Handed at Asian Games

0Shares

The Philippines’ Asian Games judo campaign ended in heartbreak Friday, Oct. 2, as Kiyomi Watanabe, Chino Sy Tancontian and Eskelen Kedo all lost by Ippon in the Round of 16 at the Aichi International Arena in Aichi-Nagoya.

The three exits left the Philippines without a judo medal at the 20th Asian Games, Philstar reported. Two-time Olympian Watanabe, a 2018 Asian Games silver medalist, was the most prominent casualty.

The Philippines ended its Asian Games judo campaign without a medal after three judokas exited in the Round of 16. [POC Media pool]

Asian Games Judo Results: Watanabe, Sy and Kedo Bow Out

Watanabe, now competing in the heavier women’s -78kg division, lost to Kazakhstan’s Ekaterina Tokareva in about a minute. Tokareva finished it with a decisive Ippon throw and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Sy, who fought in the men’s -100kg class, fell behind early to Japan’s Ryotaro Masuchi, who scored in the opening seconds. Sy battled for grip and position, but Masuchi added more points and ended the bout by Ippon.

Kedo, entered in the men’s +100kg division, also lost by Ippon, to Magomedomar Magomedomarov of the United Arab Emirates. His defeat capped a day in which all three Filipino judokas were eliminated in the same round.

Why Philippine Judo Fell Short of the Asian Games Podium Again

The result echoes Hangzhou 2023, when the Philippines also went home without a judo medal, the Daily Tribune reported. Tough draws contributed to early exits for several Filipino entries that year.

Earlier, on Oct. 1, Joemari-Heart Rafael lost to Korea’s Mimi Huh in the women’s -57kg Round of 16, according to The Game. Gabriel Benedict Quitain also fell to Bahrain’s Mukhamed Aloev in the men’s -73kg repechage.

The results contrast with the team’s regional form. Sy and Kedo were part of the Philippines’ 2025 SEA Games gold run, including the mixed team title, per the Philippine Daily Inquirer, but the continental field in Aichi-Nagoya proved far tougher.

Facing Japan, Kazakhstan and the UAE in the Round of 16, the Filipino judokas leave Nagoya with experience but no medals. Eight athletes were named to the squad, which had targeted a podium finish before the Games.