Filipina karatekas grab historic team kata bronze at Asiad
CEBU, Philippines — Philippines delivered another historic milestone at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after the Rebecca Cyril Torres, Samantha Veguillas and Ysabelle Arrogante clinched the women’s team kata bronze medal of karate on Tuesday, September 22, at th Toyohashi Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.
The trio beat Southeast Asian rival Thailand’s Ramitar Terananon, Monsicha Sakulrattanatara and Phatcharin Plangplai, 4-1, for the Philippines’ first-ever medal in team kata event in the Asian Games.
The Filipinas set the tone early with a flawless 5-0 sweep of Cambodia’s Sreynuch Puthea, Oun Sreyda and That Chenghorng, but went down to a 0-5 loss to powerhouse Iran in the semifinals.
“Wala na kami inisip kung sino kalaban,” Arrogante said. “Basta we claim sa amin ang bronze.”
The emotional triumph was the culmination of years of quiet sacrifice.
“It has been a long journey. Dami hirap ng mga teammates,” an emotional Torres said. “Marami losses over the years, pero perform lang, laban lang hanggang dulo.”
Adding fuel to their fire was the news they received just a day prior that the Philippines officially qualified for the Karate World Cup this November in Hangzhou.
“Na-inspire kami, kaya itutuloy pa namin ito, yung magandang resulta,” Arrogante said. — (FREEMAN) EBV from POC Media Bureau
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