Philippines’s flag bearer Kiyomi Watanabe and Philippines’ flag bearer Eumir Marcial lead the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe proudly carried the Philippine flag and lead the country’s delegation during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
Marcial and Watanabe were decked in the Philippines’ official tracksuit while the sports officials including chef de mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta wore barong designed by Rajo Laurel.
WATCH: Team Philippines takes center stage here at the National Stadium for the opening ceremonies of Tokyo 2020 Olympics!
Flag bearers boxer Eumir Marcial and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe lead the Philippine contigent in the parade of nations.
Taas noo, Pilipino. 🥇#PHI #Olympics pic.twitter.com/CIOGi20fx2
— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) July 23, 2021
This was the Games’ first opening ceremony without a live audience due to COVID-19 but the cavernous stadium slowly filled with the athletes bringing life to the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo’s marquee sporting facility.
The Philippines is looking to lock its first gold medal in the Summer Games with the country holding three silver and seven bronze medals.
Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines’ last medal when she took the silver in the women’s 53 kilogram division in the weightlifting tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.