DISCLAIMER. The Designated Kit Man is not a judo expert or has even tried judo even once in his life. I’m just an occasional fan since covering Kodo Nakano in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in Brazil eight years ago. Nakano was the last Filipino athlete to gain a berth in the 2016 Summer Games after an unexpected withdrawal of an Iranian bet in the Men’s 66kg category.
Unfortunately, despite his efforts, Nakano lost via ippon to Italian Matteo Marconcini in his opening match and failed to advance. He gave the Italian a good match though lasting one minute and 19 seconds before yielding.
With that aside, I can only express my disappointment after watching Kiyomi Watanabe lose her match against Tang Jing of China in the -63kg category of the judo competitions of the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics in France.
Watanabe ended her campaign after dropping her match against Tang in less than 50 seconds. It is easy to say that Watanabe is the clear underdog, that it would take a miracle for the 92nd ranked Filipina to win against her 22nd-ranked Chinese opponent. Not to mention that like Nakano eight years, Watanabe was also among the last batch to gain an entry in Paris. These arguments are valid.
What I can’t understand, though, was the manner in which Watanabe lost the match. From what I saw, she hardly offered any resistance against Tang. Again, I’m not a judo expert but even the ordinary fan can say a thing or two on how she fared in her match. Her walk from the tunnel towards the mat lasted longer than her Paris campaign.
So what happened to Watanabe? Was she able to prepare well for the Paris Olympics? Where did she train before coming to the Summer Games? Did she get all the support that she needed? And more importantly, what can the Philippine Judo Federation (PJF) say about her performance? Ano ginawa niyo para kay Watanabe? I think Ali Sulit, PJF president, was with Watanabe during her match. I’m just wondering where her coach was.
Is it just me or I missed completely hearing or reading if there was ever a national tournament to select members of the national team that will represent the country in Paris or in any international tournament? If there was any, was it open to all? Are other qualified judokas given the opportunity to represent the country?
Again, I’m not a judo expert, just an occasional fan having some questions that need some answers.
Moving forward, here is hoping that the remaining athletes still in contention in the Paris Olympics will do their best in making the country proud and inspired. A medal, regardless of color, will go a long way for our kababayans, battered with so many concerns, including natural disasters and man-made ones, during these hard times. We all know that the opposition will be great and the odds even bigger in the Summer Games, but if our bets go down, I’m praying that it will be with dignity, honor and pride knowing that they gave their best.
Except for the heartbreaking loss of defending champion Vergil Vitor in the main bout, the Kumong Bol-Anon’s 17th edition was a success.
Boxing promoter Atty. Floriezyl Podot was very happy not only because of the TV coverage provided by Tap Sports, but also on the overall result for his venture. At least four fights were shown live on Tap Sports thru major cable operators nationwide plus on its mobile app platform Blast TV.
“This is the best so far in our 17 fight card series in terms of presentation, production, matchups and how the event flow was directed,” Podot said
Podot is also hoping that Vitor will be able to bounce back soon after yielding his WBO Oriental Super Featherweight belt via TKO loss against Yeerjialahashi Laayibieke of China. Laayibieke completely dominated Vitor right from the opening bell before ending the fight in the middle of the fifth round much to the disappointment of the crowd which was hoping for a triple win for Bohol fighters.
Earlier, Gerwin Asilo took the vacant WBO Oriental Bantamweight belt against Thai teenager Surat Eaim Ong via a first-round stoppage. In the lone female fight of the evening, Althea Shine Pores defeated Maria Theresa Pinili via unanimous decision to claim the Philippine Junior Flyweight crown. Both Asilo and Pores are proud fighters of PMI Colleges Boxing Stable.
“We are planning to have another fight card hopefully before the year ends. We are just waiting for the result of ongoing negotiations,” Podot said after the event.
The Kumong Bol-Anon XVll is one of the last projects that Chino Trinidad has been working on and I’m very sure that he is very happy up there that it turned out to be a memorable coverage. Shoutout to my brothers–Erick, Freddy, Mark, Filam, Kyle, Joel and Chokoy– at INFINITeight Productions for a job well done!
Rest easy Chino, this was for you.
On a personal note, I wish all the love, good health and peace of mind to my Manila Standard bosses and good friends, Joyce Panares and Riera Mallari!
Stay safe. Stay happy, Joyce and Reira!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
