MARIYA Takahashi competes in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in this file photo. She finally received the clearance from her school, paving the way for her to see action in the 18th Asian Games. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

That’s why I told Dave to fight hard for Mariya. She’s an asset to the team and her contribution in the Asian Games will definitely be missed.

Mariya Takahashi formally secured clearance from her school, making her available to compete in the judo competition of the 18th Asian Games.

Philippine Judo Federation Dave Carter yesterday said their appeal bore fruit as the vice principal of Shukuga Gakuin High School in Kobe, Japan formally issued the green light to compete.

Takashi is a gem for a Philippine squad that would be marching to the prestigious quadrennial meet set in Jakarta from 18 Aug. to 2 Sept. without its potential golden achievers.

The 17-year old stud dethroned four-time champion Surratana Thongsri of Thailand in the 29th Southeast Asian Games that made her one of the athletes to watch out for in the Asian Games and the 2020 Olympics.

Right now, she has a world ranking of around 80 to 90 and a good performance in the Asian Games would allow her to improve her standing, paving the way for an appearance in the Summer Games in Tokyo.

“The Asian Games is a crucial part of her preparation for the Olympics,” said Carter, who is very confident that Takahashi would emerge with a medal of any color.

“That’s why we’re very thankful to the vice principal, Junichiro Matsumoto, for allowing her to take her time off from school. I’m confident that she will repay this trust by winning a medal of any color for the Philippines.”

Carter admitted that Takahashi was no longer on their radar after Shukuga Gakuin informed him that she couldn’t be excused from school in the next few weeks, especially in the last week of August where she has to fulfill a lot of academic requirements.

But Asian Games deputy chief of mission Robert Bachmann told him to raise an appeal since the national delegation would be marching without other stars like Krizziah Tabora of bowling, Kaitlin de Guzman of gymnastics and Frances Molina of women’s volleyball.

Fortunately, Gilas Pilipinas was also given the go-signal to compete after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas had a sudden change of heart following the mediation by Special Assistant to the President Sec. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

“I will not allow our team to lose another key player,” said Bachmann, the squash federation chief who serves as top guy of chief of mission Richard Gomez.

“That’s why I told Dave to fight hard for Mariya. She’s an asset to the team and her contribution in the Asian Games will definitely be missed.”