The Philippine judo team is keeping its target simple for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan: win a medal.

After missing the podium in Hangzhou three years ago, the national judokas are determined to make a stronger showing, although Philippine Judo Federation president Ali Sulit knows they will have to go through some of Asia’s strongest nations.

The Philippines went home empty-handed from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in 2023, with difficult draws contributing to early exits for the Filipino bets.

Filipino-Japanese Kiyomi Watanabe came closest to earning a medal after reaching the repechage of the women’s -63kg division, only to lose to Kazakhstan’s Emsigul Kuyulova.

“Just to get a medal. Yeah, that’s everything,” Sulit told DAILY TRIBUNE.

“Last time we didn’t make it. In the last Asian Games, because I remember, we had a very strong lineup, but we were unlucky with the draw.”

Watanabe will return to the Asian Games in the heavier -78kg division alongside Khrizzie Pabulayan as part of the Philippines’ eight-member squad.

Also seeing action are Daryl John Mercado (-60kg), Keisei Nakano (-66kg), Gabriel Benedict Quitain (-73kg), Chino Sy (-100kg), Eskelen Kedo (+100kg) and Joemari-Heart Rafael (women’s -57kg).

Sulit, who also serves as one of the Philippines’ deputy chiefs of mission for the Asiad, said the judokas have been keeping busy with training camps both at home and abroad.

“They had training camps locally. They went to Davao and had training camps in Baguio,” Sulit said.

“Others went abroad to train, so it was really busy.”

With stronger preparation behind them, the Filipino judokas are hoping for better fortunes in Nagoya, particularly when the draw is made.

But Sulit knows the road to the podium will be difficult, with Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and South Korea among the countries expected to dominate the competition.

“Japan being one of them. The -stan countries — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan — and Korea is there. So they’re really strong,” Sulit said.