SAKHIR, Bahrain – Team Philippines won its most number of gold medals in Asian Games Youth history, but only managed to match the same finish it did the last time the multi-sports showcase was held more than a decade ago.
A late gold in jiu-jitsu delivered by Fil-Am Isabella Joseline Butler on the final day of competitions gave the country a total haul of seven golds – the highest-ever Filipinos have won since the 45-nation meet inaugurated in 2009.
The Philippines also took home seven silvers and 10 bronzes, as competitions in the third edition of the event for athletes 14-17 years old officially came to an end at the Exhibition World Bahrain Thursday night here.
The effort landed Filipinos at the 12th spot after being dislodged from No. 11 by South Korea with seven golds, seven silvers, and 11 bronzes.
In Nanjing, China in 2013 during the second staging of the AYG, the country also placed 12th with two golds and three silvers.
Future of the Philippines
Nonetheless, Chef De Mission Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara lauded the work done by the 200-strong Team Philippines, which he said should augurs well for the country’s next campaign when competitions go to Uzbekistan.
“I think there’s a bright future for our U18 youth players for all sports. Nakikita ko na malaki ang potential natin. So focus on 2029 for the next Asian Youth Games,” said Suzara, as the curtains finally fell on the tournament Friday night after 12 days of competition.
Unlike 12 years ago when only taekwondo, golf, and tennis provided gold and silver medals for the Philippines, this time, 10 disciplines accounted for the total 24 medals Filipinos won.
Aside from jiu-jitsu, also coming through were athletics, boxing, mixed martial arts, muay, pencak silat, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting, and teqball.
The gold medal winners include mixed martial arts’ Charlie Ratcliff, trackster PI Durden Wangkay, pencak silat’s Kram Airam Carpio, and muay bets Lyre Anie Ngina, Zeth Gabriel Bueno, and the mixed team of Jan Brix Ramiscal and Tyron Jamborillo.
Muay was the biggest source of gold for the country with three, which once placed the Filipinos at No. 5 in the medal tally halfway through the meet.
As it did in 2013, China again emerged as overall champion with 63 golds, 49 silvers, and 45 bronzes, followed by Uzbekistan (37-16-28), Kazakhstan (24-29-40), Iran (22-18-36), and Thailand (15-15-18).
Only Thailand finished in the Top 10 among Southeast Asian countries, while the Philippines was the next best finisher from the same region.
Other medalists for the Philippine contingent were:
Silver
- Naomi Cesar (athletics)
- Travis Ratcliff (mixed martial arts)
- Kristen Aguila (taekwondo poomsae)
- Jamesray Ajido (swimming)
- Jhodie Peralta (weightlifting)
- John Brix Ramiscal (muay)
- Jasmine Dagami (muay)
Bronze
- Iyesha Blair Bituin (muay)
- Leo Mhar Lobrido (boxing)
- Aeden Cereno (taekwondo poomsae)
- Crystal Carino and Nicole Tabued (teqball)
- Alexander Tagure Jr. (mixed martial arts)
- Jhodie Peralta (weightlifting)
- Jay-r Colonia (weightlifting)
- Alexsandra Ann Diaz
- Princess Ann Diaz
- Mara Alexandria Sarinas
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