Mariya Takahashi of the Philippines competes against Surattana Thongsri of Thailand in the finals of the women’s -70kg class of the 29th Southeast Asian Games judo competition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center Hall 5. Takahashi prevailed via ippon in 48 seconds to win the gold medal. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES MEDIA POOL
KUALA LUMPUR — Mariya Takahashi rocked the judo competition after a shocking ippon victory over a four-time champion Sunday in the Southeast Asian Games at KLCC Hall 3.
The 16-year-old Kobe, Japan-native pinned down Surattana Thongsri of Thailand in less than one minute of the -70 kilogram final to secure the country’s second gold of the competition.
Takashi was very pleased over her feat but she could not express her emotions because she can’t speak English or Filipino.
“I’m happy,” said Takahashi through her coach, Rio Olympian Kodo Nakano.
Takahashi competed for the Philippines in the Jigoro Kano Cup held early this year here.
She is a high school senior at Shukugawa Gakuin High School and only child of a Davaoena mother and Japanese father.
Thongsri was holding on to a 1-0 lead before Takahashi scored ippon.
On the way to the finals, Takahashi beat Vietnam’s Thi Diue Tieng Ngyuen in the semis.
Sydney Sy took the bronze in the women’s -78kg via a 1-0 win over another Thai, Chattayaporn Prawiset. She came from the repechage bracket after losing her first bout.
Kiyomi Watanabe had earlier gifted the country with a gold in women’s -63kg last Saturday.