MANILA – Kiyomi Watanabe faced another early exit in the women’s 63-kilogram judo event at the Paris Olympics, losing to China’s Tang Jing just 51 seconds into their match on Tuesday at the Champ-De-Mars Arena.

Tang swiftly secured a takedown and dominated the bout, achieving a kuzure-kesa-gatame hold that led to Watanabe’s elimination in the first round. This marks Watanabe’s second consecutive first-round exit, having experienced the same fate in Tokyo three years ago.

Watanabe’s defeat adds to the Philippine team’s growing list of early departures, with Joanie Delgaco also missing the finals in women’s single sculls rowing earlier in the day.

In a show of support, the Philippine Olympic Committee praised Watanabe’s perseverance: “Proud of You, Kiyomi Watanabe! Despite the loss in the 63kg elimination, your determination and hard work shine brightly. You’ve made the Philippines proud and inspired many with your Olympic journey. Keep your head high and continue to fight! Mabuhay ka (Long live), Kiyomi!”

Other athletes who have concluded their campaigns include fencer Samantha Cantantan, who struggled with a knee injury, and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo.

(el Amigo/mnm)

HANGZHOU, China — The national judo squad will go home without a single medal after it bowed to Thailand in the Round of 16 of the mixed team event of the 19th Asian Games at the Xiaohan Linpu Gymnasium here.

All four Pinoy judokas, led by Olympian Kiyomi Watanabe, were wiped out by their Thai rivals to wrap up their campaign without a single medal in this tourney supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Watanabe bowed to former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Thonthan Satjadet in the women’s +70-kilogram class while Ryoko Salinas surrendered to Supattra Nanonong in the women’s -70-kg event via ippon in the first 31 minutes of action.

Also surrendering to Thai superiority were John Viron Ferrer in the men’s -90-kg event and Carl Dave Aneseta in the men’s +90-kg event, who lost to Wei Fuyang and Kittipong Hantratin, respectively.

With that, the Filipinos ended ninth while the Thais advanced to the quarterfinals.

(ai/mnm)