PH nets biggest Asian Games medal haul in 6 decades

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines recorded its biggest Asian Games haul in six decades as it wrapped up its campaign in the 20th edition in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, October 4, with four golds, nine silvers, and 16 bronzes for a total of 29 medals. Although the country matched its 17th-place finish in 2023 in Hangzhou, China, it came away with its most medals since winning 42 in the 1966 staging in Bangkok, Thailand. Gymnastics star Carlos Yulo showed the way for the delegation with two golds, while pole vault stalwart EJ Obiena and taekwondo standout Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape scored one each as they all claimed a piece of history. Yulo ruled in men’s floor exercise and vault — the same events in which he captured his two Olympics golds — to become the first Filipino gymnast to win an Asian Games medal.

In doing so, he completed his collection which includes titles from the World Championships, Asian Championships, World Cup, and Southeast Asian Games. Obiena defended his men’s pole vault crown in record-breaking fashion, setting a new Asian Games mark of 5. 91 meters as he emerged as only the fourth back-to-back champion in the event. Then in a breakthrough in taekwondo, Yape became the Philippines’ first-ever Asian Games gold medalist in the sport following his triumph in the mixed individual virtual taekwondo , an event that debuted in the continental showpiece. Yape secured the landmark gold for Philippine taekwondo after bagging bronze in the men’s individual poomsae. With four golds, the country equaled its tally in 2023 and 2018 in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia. The Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission initially set an eight-gold target — a haul that, if achieved, would have marked the Philippines’ first time winning at least five golds…