SEA Games: Rena Furukawa clinches first judo gold for Philippines

FILE–Philippines’ Furukawa Rena (in white) during 2019 SEA Games Judo. INQURER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

MANILA, Philippines — Rena Furukawa ruled the women’s judo -57-kilogram to deliver the national team’s first gold in the sport on Thursday in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at Hoai Duc Gymnasium.

Furukawa took down Myanmar’s Chu Myat Noe Wai, 1-0, in the winner-take-all final.

The 2019 SEA Games bronze medalist eliminated Thailand’s Oraphin Senatham in the knockout semifinal to surpass her previous finish.

Furukawa beat Dalin Cheng of Cambodia in the preliminary round

Meanwhile, the Philippine Judo team also won two silvers and a bronze medal.

Kesei Nakano, who ruled the 2019 SEA Games, failed to defend his throne after losing to Indonesia’s Iksan Apriyadi in the 73kg final.

John Viron Ferrer also settled for silver losing to hometown bet Anh Tai Le in the 90kg gold medal match.

Megumi Kurayoshi earned the bronze, beating Thai Warunee Buatan in the 63kg.