Juliana Candelaria marked her Asian Games debut with a silver medal after finishing second in the women’s individual poomsae competition on Thursday at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.
The 18-year-old Filipino scored 9.1300 in the final to secure the runner-up finish behind South Korea’s Jung Haeun, who topped the event with 9.3100. Thailand’s Thitaree Kaewolanwasu completed the podium with a 9.0400 score.
Candelaria posted 9.200 in the recognized poomsae routine before registering 9.060 in the freestyle portion, putting her in medal contention in her first appearance at the continental meet.
“Amazing. I feel great about everything,” Candelaria told One Sports. “It’s such an amazing achievement for me. It’s my first Asian Games.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the people who helped her reach the podium.
“Super duper thankful to everyone. My family, my coaches, my teammates,” she added.
Coach Rani Ortega pointed to the collective effort of the team behind Candelaria’s breakthrough performance.
“Hard work really pays off, with the trust and teamwork of all of us, kaya talaga. Kaya,” Ortega said.
For Candelaria, the experience was also a lesson in appreciating the moment.
“Ang mati-take ko [na lesson] here is live in the moment, kasi what I did in this competition is to enjoy and just be grateful for everything,” she said.
Candelaria’s silver became the Philippines’ fifth in the ongoing Asian Games, joining Jean Claude Saclag in MMA, Marie June Adriano in karate, the women’s sepak takraw team and Amaya Amparo Cojuangco in archery among the country’s silver medalists.
Jeus Yape also made it to the podium in the men’s individual poomsae after scoring 9.0900 in the final to claim the bronze medal. (Adrian Co)
