The Philippine national judo team capped off their 33rd Southeast Asian Games campaign in style, closing the competitions with a gold medal in the mixed team event on Sunday at the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi in Bangkok, Thailand.
Trailing 1-3 in matches and needing two straight wins to force a seventh and deciding bout, young upstart Esleken Kedo and UAAP standout Joemeri-Heart Rafael delivered, both securing victories via ippon to set up the decider.
With the luck of the draw on his side, 20-year-old Kedo executed a swift throw and ippon over Kittipong Hantratin, clinching the Philippines’ first-ever gold in the mixed team event, following consecutive heartbreaking semifinal losses and bronze-medal finishes in previous editions.
Thailand initially took the lead, with Masayuki Terada defeating Gabriel Benedict Quitain, followed by Suppatra Nanong overpowering UAAP Season 78 and 81 Women’s MVP Khrizzie Pabulayan to make it 2–0.
UAAP 86 Men’s MVP and University of the Philippines standout Jayvee Ferrer pulled one back for the Philippines with a decisive ippon over Wei Puyang.
But Thonthan Satjadet quickly restored Thailand’s two-match lead, defeating Margaret Fajardo via waza-ari.
The Filipinos, however, refused to back down. Kedo and Rafael delivered crucial wins to level the contest.
Kedo, making his Games debut, swept Hantratin and secured an osaekomi on the ground with 1:02 remaining in the match.
Rafael, UAAP Season 85 and 86 back-to-back Women’s MVP from the University of the East, followed with a commanding throw of Kamolwan Akkajan, achieving ippon just 25 seconds into her bout, setting the stage for the deciding match that ultimately went in the Philippines’ favor.
The historic roster also included University of Santo Tomas’ Daryl Mercado and Chino Sy, UP’s Zarchie Garay, UE’s Leah Lopez, Ateneo de Manila University’s Maxine Mababangloob, and Randy Ferrera Jr.
The Philippines concluded the Games with an impressive haul: two golds—including Chino Sy’s men’s -100 kg title—three silvers, and two bronzes.
