Judo gets going at SEA Games

FILE – Kiyomi Watanabe of the Philippines clinches the gold medal in the women’s -63kg event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games judo competition Saturday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES MEDIA POOL

NEW CLARK CITY — Filipinas Noemi Candari and Helena Dawa open the host’s campaign in judo Wednesday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Laus Group Events Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Defending champions Kiyomi Watanabe and Mariya Takahashi — both shooting for ranking points to qualify themselves to the Tokyo Olympics next year — will defend their crowns Thursday.

The Philippines is looking at winning five gold medals in the sport which will dangle 12 mints.

Also seeing action for PH judokas are Heisei Nakano, Shugen Nakano, Shin Matsumura and Riyoko Salinas.