Fil-Japanese judoka tapped Phl 13th bet
RIO DE JANEIRO – In a sudden turn of events, Filipino- Japanese judoka Kodo Nakano was given the key to the Rio Olympics Wednesday following the last-minute withdrawal of an Iranian entry in the 81 kg weight class.
Nakano being called in by the International Olympic Committee as a late replacement means that the Philippine delegation will now consist of 13 athletes.
Sports officials are hoping that they’re looking at the “Lucky 13.”
“Any addition is a welcome addition,” said Philippine chef-demission Jose Romasanta, who learned of Nakano’s entry to the Rio Olympics Wednesday morning.
Romasanta got call from judo association head Dave Carter, who was in Manila, regarding the news.
First thing Romasanta did was visit the sports entries section of the Rio Olympics to confirm the news.
“They confirmed it and they have issued him his credential,” he said.
According to Carter, the 23-yearold Nakano has been informed of the development, and will immediately fly to Rio de Janeiro.
Nakano is expected to arrive here no later than Aug. 6 or just in time for the judo competitions on Aug. 9.
Romasanta said he’s only concerned with Nakano not having enough time to shake off jetlag from his trip to Rio de Janeiro from Japan.
“What we’re worried about is the jetlag factor because the events of judo will start Aug. 9,” said Romasanta.
Pinay marathoner Mary Joy Tabal arrived in Rio late Wednesday evening from Japan, where she trained hard the past month.
Tabal said it took her 36 hours to get here. From Narita, the reigning Milo Marathon Champion and veteran of the last Boston Marathon took a 12-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, and then another 15 hours to Sao Paulo, and another one-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro.
Including stop-overs and delays, it took her 36 hours to get here.
“Ang sakit na sa puwet (My butt hurts),” said Tabal, now the 10th Philippine entry to make it here, just two days before the Aug. 5 opening ceremony.
Only hurdler Eric Cray and golfer Miguel Tabuena have yet to get here, together with Nakano.
Romasanta explained that Nakano has long been in the list of Filipino hopefuls to the Rio Olympics. But after he failed to earn an outright berth, he only hopes for a late inclusion.
The doors opened when an Iranian athlete suddenly withdrew from the competition.
“Nakano’s name and passport details were submitted to the sport entries department long before. He was in the list as a possible replacement,” said Romasanta.
“But now we were just informed by Mr. Carter that the IF (international federation) has invited Kodo Nakano by virtue of withdrawal by the entry of Iran in the 81 kg,” he added.
Nakano joins Pinoy track and field bets Marestella Torres, Cray and Tabal, boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, swimmers Jessie Khing Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia, table tennis’ Ian Lariba, taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Alora and Tabuena in the Rio squad.
Nakano is based in Japan together with his Filipina mother. If he gets here as scheduled, he will only have four days to get himself in fighting form.
Whether he’s flying in from Japan or Manila, it will take Nakano close to 30 hours to get to Rio for the judo competitions on Aug. 9.
Nakano epresented the country in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore but failed to win a medal.
This is his first Olympics.