The Philippine women's kata team clinched a bronze medal at the 20th Asian Games held in Toyohashi, Japan. The team triumphed over Thailand with a decisive 4-1 victory on Tuesday.
Historic First for Philippine Kata Team
We didn’t care which team we’re going to face. We just claimed that we will come home with a bronze medal.
Ysabielle Arrogante, Team Member
Comprising Samantha Emmanuelle Veguillas, Ysabielle Arrogante, and Rebecca Cyril Torres, the trio scored 7.8, 7.7, 7.9, 8.7, and 8.1 against Thailand's 7.6, 7.5, 7.7, 8.5, and 8.3. This achievement marks the Philippines' first-ever medal in the team kata event at the Asian Games.
The team began their campaign with an impressive 5-0 win against Cambodia. However, they faced a setback in the semifinals, losing 0-5 to the strong Iranian team. Their resilience was evident as they bounced back to secure the bronze.
It has been a long journey. We struggled and lost multiple times over the years but we just kept on performing until the end.
Rebecca Cyril Torres, Team Member
This bronze adds to the Philippines' medal tally, following bronze medals won by the women's soft tennis team and mixed martial artist Carlos Alvarez. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president, Bambol Tolentino, remains optimistic about the country's medal prospects, despite early disappointments.
Tolentino expressed hope for at least eight gold medals, stating, "There’s no backing down from this. Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming. It doesn’t cost us anything, it’s free."
As the Philippine delegation continues to compete in various sports, including swimming events led by Kayla Sanchez, the anticipation for further successes remains high.