The Philippines secured another podium finish at the 2026 Asian Games after Samantha Emmanuelle Veguillas, Ysabielle Arrogante, and Rebecca Cyril Torres combined forces to capture bronze in the women’s team kata on Tuesday in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Filipina trio defeated Thailand, 4-1, in the bronze medal match to give Team Philippines its third medal of the continental showpiece.
Veguillas, Arrogante, and Torres produced scores of 7.8, 7.7, 7.9, 8.7, and 8.1 across the five judges, edging Thailand’s 7.6, 7.5, 7.7, 8.5, and 8.3 to claim four of the five decisions.
The podium finish capped a steady campaign for the Philippine team, which advanced through the knockout rounds behind composed and consistent performances. For Veguillas, their success came down to the bond they developed through demanding preparations.
(C) POC Media Group
“I feel like it was our teamwork. I feel like we were always showing up for each other. Madalas kami nag-training kahit anong oras, kahit ilang oras. So, I feel like we were able to show up for each other, motivate each other,” she said.
Arrogante said the team refused to be distracted by its opponents and instead concentrated on delivering its best performance.
“Basta ibibigay talaga namin yung best namin kanina. Wala na po kaming inisip kung sino man ’yan. Basta kami ’to, amin ’to, amin yung bronze,” she added.
Karate Pilipinas president and Chef de Mission Richard Lim, meanwhile, emphasized the sacrifices the athletes made long before stepping onto the Asian Games stage.
“I would say, though, yung sacrifice nila. I mean, the time that they dedicated to the training. Some of them quit school. Not to quit, but stopped temporarily just to concentrate for the Asian Games. Away from the family. Wala nang family time dahil more on the demand of the training,” she said.
The women’s kata bronze adds another highlight to the Philippines’ campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, with the national delegation continuing its hunt for more medals as Day 3 unfolds.
