06 Oct FIVE MEDALS, ONE GOLD: THANK YOU, PHILIPPINE TAEKWONDO
When the Philippine taekwondo team stepped onto the tatami at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, they carried more than the Philippine flag. They carried the hopes of their families, the sacrifices of their coaches, and the pride of an entire Philippine Taekwondo Association community cheering them on from home.
Seven athletes. Seven journeys. One shared mission: to represent the Philippines.
And they did.
They leave Aichi-Nagoya with five medals—one gold, three silver, and one bronze—but their contribution cannot be measured by medals alone.
Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape gave the country a historic gold in mixed individual Virtual Taekwondo, becoming the Philippines’ first Asian Games champion in the discipline. He also earned bronze in men’s individual poomsae, leaving the Games with two medals from two different events.
Photo: Philippine Olympic Committee
Kurt Bryan Barbosa, an Olympian and veteran of the international stage, fought his way to silver in the men’s -58kg kyorugi division, adding another major achievement to an already distinguished career.
At just 18, Tachiana Kezhia Mangin announced herself on the Asian Games stage, battling her way to silver in the women’s -49kg division. Her semifinal victory, secured by a head kick with less than two seconds remaining, became one of the most memorable moments of the Philippine campaign.
Another 18-year-old, Juliana Mykhail Candelaria, made her Asian Games debut count with a silver in women’s individual poomsae, further showcasing the strength of Philippine taekwondo beyond kyorugi.
And then there were Jessica Canabal, Laila Delo, and Dave Cea.
They may not have returned home with medals, but they deserve to be part of this celebration just as much. Canabal reached the quarterfinals, while Delo and Cea battled their way through the early rounds of their respective divisions, gaining valuable experience against some of Asia’s best.
Their results may look different on paper, but their achievement is the same:
They represented the Philippines.
Behind every match were years of training, sacrifice, discipline, and preparation. Behind every point was an athlete who had worked for the opportunity to stand on that stage.
That is why this is not simply a story about five medals.
It is a story about seven athletes who showed up for the country.
Yape made history. Barbosa continued to lead by example. Mangin and Candelaria showed the promise of a new generation. Canabal, Delo, and Cea embraced the challenge of competing at the highest level in Asia.
Together, they showed that Philippine taekwondo belongs on this stage.
So, before the Games become a memory, there is one thing that needs to be said:
Thank you.
Thank you for the victories and the difficult battles. Thank you for the sacrifices nobody saw. Thank you for carrying the Philippine colors with pride every time you stepped onto the tatami.
Thank you for giving the Philippine Taekwondo Association and the entire Filipino taekwondo community moments to celebrate and remember.
The medals will go into the record books.
But the pride you gave us will stay with us much longer.
To Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape, Kurt Bryan Barbosa, Tachiana Kezhia Mangin, Juliana Mykhail Candelaria, Baby Jessica Canabal, Laila Delo, and Dave Cea—thank you for representing the Philippines.
Five medals. One gold. Seven athletes.
One proud Philippine taekwondo family.
Salamat, Team Philippines.