The Philippines remains optimistic it will make the podium in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games despite not having medal hopefuls Junna Tsukii, Jamie Lim and Sakura Alforte on its fold.

Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim told DAILY TRIBUNE with this year’s SEA Games removing the women’s individual kata, Alforte won’t be able to defend the gold medal she won in Cambodia back in 2023.

“We still have the team kata for both men’s and women’s but they knew we would win in the individual events which is why they removed it,” Lim said.

“Only Thailand can send a full team. For example, there are six weight categories for the men’s division and we can only field in four categories.”

The Philippines won two golds, six silvers and one bronze medal in Cambodia two years ago.

Lim said the squad trained in Istanbul last month for the kumite events as they see Vietnam and Malaysia as challengers to the gold medal.

“They had a training camp with the Turkish national team in Istanbul for two weeks. They are taking a rest since they peaked there. They resume on Monday,” Lim said.

“We still have kumite players like Alwyn Batican, Christian Lachica and Marie June Adriano.”

Having certain restrictions in the SEA Games is no surprise to Team Philippines.

In judo, Kiyomi Watanabe won’t be able to compete in this prestigious biennial meet as her weight division of -63-kg was not included.

Gilas Pilipinas players Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame and three other top players won’t be able to participate in the men’s 5x5 basketball event as host Thailand barred any naturalized players from joining.