Judokas hopeful of Tokyo journey

MANILA, Philippines —  With the International Judo Federation intent on continuing its original qualification system for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, Filipino judokas expressed confidence on their chances to qualify one or two bets.

Four-time Southeast Asian Games champion and 2018 Asiad silver medalist Kiyomi Watanabe ranks 36th in the IJF Olympic rankings for the women’s -63kg class and is considered a shoo-in for a Continental quota spot.

Brothers Shugen (men’s -66kg) and Keisei Nakano (men’s -73kg) are also knocking at the door. Keisei sits at 78th while Shugen runs 106th but can still shoot for higher rankings at the resumption of the qualifying meets up to the IOC-set deadline of June 29, 2021.

According to IJF president Marius Vizer,  the federation “will have at least the same number of events in the qualification process, including all the events which were already scheduled in the period until the new end date of qualification.”

“Having it next year is best for everybody,” Philippine Judo Federation president David Carter told The STAR.

“Our athletes need to rest a bit because they’ve been very active in joining the qualifying events. Every now and then they get hurt, and this is a good chance for them to recuperate and another chance for them to improve their rankings,” he added.

Carter expects the three Fil-Japanese prospects to take advantage of at least three more qualifying meets to boost their bids.

“There’s a chance for us to get another slot aside from Kiyomi. If Kiyomi improves her ranking then she will qualify via Direct Qualification of the IJF and then another athlete from the Philippines could qualify through Continental Quota,” said Carter