SEA Games: Filipino judoka Mariya Takahashi bags gold anew

FILE -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. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES MEDIA POOL

NEW CLARK CITY — Nineteen-year-old Mariya Takahashi gifted the Philippines its third gold medal in judo after ruling the tough women’s 70kg division in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Friday.

Takahashi, the defending champion in her division, beat Thailand’s Thongsri Suratara via ippon which is counterpart of knockout in boxing and is worth 10 points.

Takahashi earlier lost to Indonesian Ayu Kakihara via wazari (a one-point win) in the division where only three judokas took part.

But Kakihara eventually lost to Suratara also via wazari.

“That’s a weird win because all three had one win and one loss each, but Mariya’s win held more weight because she won via ippon,” said Philippine Judo Federation president Dave Carter.

The Philippines now had three golds in the sport and Carter said they are expecting more on the last day of competitions on Saturday.