SEA Games 2023: PH’s Shugen Nagano, Rena Furukawa look for title repeat in judo

FILE– Philippines’ Shugen Nakano in judo. INQUIRER PHOTO/SHERWIN VARDELEON

MANILA, Philippines—Reigning gold medalists Shugen Nagano and Rena Furukawa look to turn around the Philippines’ campaign in judo after four Filipinos bowed out of medal contention in the form events on Saturday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The tandem of Alvin Mendoza and Bryn Quilotes crashed out of the men’s kime no kata podium after ranking fourth in Group A after tallying a total of 457 points. Vietnam won the gold.

The duo of Joemari Heart and Jewel Ann Rafael also failed to get their hands on SEA Games hardware in the women’s ju no kata category with just 365 points amassed for third place in Group B. Thailand was the eventual winner in the event.

Nagano and Furukawa, the Hanoi SEA Games champions in the men’s 66kg and women’s 57kg classes, respectively, are set to take the mat as the combat competitions begin Sunday.

Furukawa got a bye to the quarterfinal and will face the winner between Vietnam and Cambodia in the semifinals. Nagano figures in the round robin stages on Sunday.

Daryl Meracado, meanwhile, also looks to improve from his 31st SEA Games finish of silver in the men’s 55kg class.