Back-to-back Seag champ misses mom’s ComVal home

MANILA - Back-to-back Southeast Asian (SEA) Games judo gold medalist Filipino-Japanese Mariya Takahashi misses her friends and relatives in her mother’s hometown in Maragusan, Compostela Valley, whom she has not visited for the past seven years now.

The 18-year-old ace, who also scooped a women’s team bronze in the 30th SEA Games judo competition at the Laus Group Events Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao after paying PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez a courtesy visit, said, “I miss my friends and neighbors. I haven’t been home for seven years.” She considers her mother Lynlyn’s birthplace her home, too, although they have also resided for a few years in Panabo City where she studied first and second grades.

Their tight schedule would not allow them to visit ComVal as they will soon be flying back to Japan as Mariya also has to attend her classes.

She also said that she finds her second SEA Games experience “very happy” having delivered an individual gold and a team bronze for the Philippines.

In the women’s team event, Philippines outlasted Malaysia, 3-2, for the bronze.

Takahashi beat her fourth match opponent Shahabudain Siti Noor as her teammates Ma. Jeanalane Lopez and Megumi Delgado also demolished Malaysians Goh Xuan Le and Nik Azman Nik, respectively.

Nanggigil man gud ko Maam kay sya nagpildi nako atong 2013. Pero ana si coach dapat timing lang. Pero gigawas nako tanang power nako sa sumbag NESTHY ALCAYDE PETECIO