Fil-Jap teen stuns 5-time judo champ
KUALA LUMPUR – Teenage Filipino-Japanese judoka Mariya Takahashi made a smashing SEA Games debut, humbling the best in the region to claim the gold in the under-70 kg. category in the closing hours of the judo competition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center here last night.
In what’s easily one of the most overpowering performances in the event, Takahashi, 16, disposed of the reigning gold medalist and the silver medalist both via ippon.
Drawing first-round bye, the Kobe-based judoka first stopped Myanmar’s Swe Zin Phyo, the 2015 second placer, then sent to submission Surattana Thongsri of Thailand, a five-time SEAG champ.
“She humbled her SEA Games veteran rivals,” said coach Rolan Llamas, elated at the winning performance of their fresh find.
“We were actually having second thoughts on fielding her because she’s so young. But we tried her in an open international tournament here a few months back, and she placed second,” said Llamas of the young teen born in Japan of a Davaoeña mother.
Davao bet Sydney Sy made it a two-gold, three-bronze haul for the Philippine judoka team in placing third in the under-78 kg. class.
“It could’ve been a silver or gold if not for a bad break in the draw. She’s pitted against the champion right away,” said Llamas.
From the repechage, Sy worked her way up to the bronze-medal match versus Thai Chatthayaporn Prawiset whom she beat out, 1-0.
Kiyomi Watanabe delivered the first gold while twins Kensei and Shugen Nakano snared the two bronzes the previous night.
Small but equipped with great techniques learned from her childhood in Japan, Takahashi easily overcame bigger foes Phyo and Thongsri.
“You see she beat much physically mature opponents. It’s her talent,” said Llamas.
Through an interpreter, Takahashi said she trains one to four hours daily as part of their physical education in Japan.