Filipino-Japanese judoka Kiyomi Watanabe has given the country its first medal for the judo sport at the Asian Games when she finished with a silver medal in the women’s judo -63 kg division.
It was a strong finish for Watanabe who makes her debut at the Asian Games in Indonesia playing for Team Philippines against Nami Nabekura of Japan who was favored to win the gold.
Watanabe, who was born in Cebu to a Filipino mother and Japanese father, previously delivered gold medals for Team Philippines at the 2017, 2015, and 2013 South East Asian Games.
The Filipino judoka is ranked #19 by the International Judo Federation.
The 22-year-old athlete brings to 5 the number of strong finishes by the women of Team Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz delivering the first gold, golfer Yuka Saso and Team Philippines’ trio of Saso, Lois Kaye Go, and Bianca Pagdanganan winning the country’s 2nd and 3rd gold medals, and the 4th gold medal picked up by Margielyn Didal with her first place finish in the Skateboarding Women’s Street event.
The Filipino women athletes’ strong showing at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia has been acknowledged by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Kiyomi Watanabe is scheduled to next compete at the World Championships Seniors and Teams Baku in September 2018 as she trains her sights on competing in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
