Takahashi finally gets to be No. 1

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 may have learned judo from her father, but it was her mother, who introduced her to Filipino delicacies such as pancit and lechon.

The 16-year-old Takahashi went to her mother’s home province of Davao when she was 10 and that’s when she developed her love for Filipino food.

READ: Takahashi gives PH its 2nd gold in judo, shocks Thai champ

“My favorite is steak. But I also love pancit and lechon,” said the senior high school student at Shukugawa Gakuin High School.

She was the youngest gold winner for Team Philippines after winning the women’s -70-kilogram gold Sunday in the 29th Southeast Asian Games here.

“My strength is in-born. My father influenced me,” she said through judo officials Lorna and Takeshi Nakano. The Nakanos are parents of bronze winners Shugen and Keisei.

Takahashi honed her skills in Hyogo, a district in Japan which has a very strong women’s judo team.

Her father played judo for Aichi district and he helped his only child Mariya learn the ropes.

But back in the district level, Takahashi said her best achievement was only second place.

In this SEA Games, however, she’s the No. 1.