One last kick: Taekwondo jins strike with one gold, two silver medals

From out of nowhere, the Philippines found itself gifted with a gold medal — its fourth — from an event that was making its debut in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

That surprise gold was provided by taekwondo jin Jeus Yape, who beat Vietnam’s Ngoc Tuyet Sang Chau, 2-0, in the mixed individual virtual taekwondo final at the Toyohashi Gymnasium on Friday.

Yape’s top finish in the event that left Filipinos intrigued sparkled like no other alongside the silvers delivered by Carlo Paalam in boxing and the two from traditional taekwondo and one bronze apiece from jiu-jitsu and beach volleyball.

The 22-year-old University of Santo Tomas standout’s victory moved the Philippines to 16th place in the medal standings with four golds, eight silvers and 16 bronzes for 28 medals as of 8 p.m.

China remained atop the standings with 162 golds, 80 silvers and 72 bronzes, followed by hosts Japan with 69 golds, 83 silvers and 85 bronzes. South Korea was third with 33 golds, 39 silvers and 62 bronzes.

Yape, who earlier won bronze in the men’s individual poomsae, was introduced to virtual taekwondo through national team coaches Rani Ortega and Jordan Dominguez ahead of the sport’s Asian Games debut.

“When we came back from Korea, Coach Rani and Coach Jordan scheduled a training session with Coach Dane because Coach Dane (de Roda) is the one in charge of virtual taekwondo in the Philippines,” Yape said.

“We were also invited by the PTA (Philippine Taekwondo Association) to join a seminar about virtual taekwondo in Korea with Coach Jordan. That’s where we learned more about what we could do.”

Yape joined pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo as the Philippines’ gold medalists in Nagoya.

Tachiana Mangin and Kurt Barbosa also delivered silver medals for the Philippines after reaching the finals of their respective divisions.

Mangin, a former junior world champion, made it to the final but lost to Ma Jingyue of China in the women’s -49-kilogram division final.

Meanwhile, Barbosa also suffered the same fate as Mangin, dropping the men’s -58kg final against Tamirlan Tleules of Kazakhstan.

At the Nishio Gymnasium, boxer Paalam settled for runnerup honors after bowing to Yamaguchi Rui of Japan on a disputable split decision in the men’s 55kg final.

Kaila Napolis added a bronze in jiu-jitsu after beating Mongolia’s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel in the repechage of the women’s -52kg division.

The Philippines also picked up a bronze in women’s beach volleyball, with Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara rallying past China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

With the Games nearing its conclusion, the Philippines will have several opportunities to add to its medal haul in golf, softball and padel on Saturday.

The men’s golf team tees off as early as 5:30 a.m., followed by the women’s squad at 8:15 a.m. at the Kasugai Country Club East Course.

The Blu Girls will battle Chinese Taipei for the softball bronze at 9 a.m. at the Anjo Softball Club.

In padel, Danna Abad and Joshea Malazarte face Novela Putria and Beatrice Gumulya of Indonesia in the women’s pairs bronze-medal match at 10 a.m. at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center.

Yape’s gold proved timely as Filipino officials were even hoping that the gold haul could go to as high as eight as they were all counting on Gilas Pilipinas — which got dethroned early — and Alex Eala, who had to console herself with another bronze.