BY NICK GIONGCO
The Filipino-Japanese judokas are undergoing training in Japan amid the pandemic while some are deployed in parts of Metro Manila, according to the Philippine Judo Federation (PJF).
Kiyomi Watanabe, who is virtually secured of a slot in the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics next year, is “still recuperating (and) taking things slowly,” PJF president Dave Carter said.
“So far everyone’s OK,” said Carter when checked about the whereabouts and current condition of the bonebreakers.
Watanabe and the Nakano Brothers ‒ Keisei and Shugen ‒ are having their own “private training” in Japan, said Carter.
One of them could end up earning a berth as well to Tokyo as Watanabe has done so through merit.
Watanabe, born in Cebu, took the gold in the -63 kg class during the 30th Southeast Asian Games while Shugen likewise did the same thing, this time in the 66 kg division.
“While we are sure Kiyomi will be included in the Olympics next year, we remain positive that we will be able to get a second slot. It could be one of the Nakano brothers,” added Carter.
The Philippines wound up with three gold medals in the last SEAG behind first-placer Thailand with seven and runnerup Indonesia with four in judo.
