UST's Chino Sy Tancontian. UAAP Media
MANILA – It was a golden ending for judoka Chino Sy Tancontian in the collegiate ranks, after winning his fourth straight gold medal for University of Santo Tomas in UAAP men's judo.
Coming off a gold medal triumph in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Tancontian rode on the momentum to cap off his UAAP career in dominant fashion.
The Davao City native earned all his victories via ippon, the highest score a fighter can get in judo, including the match against his teammate and rookie Jeordan Caguicla in the –100kg division.
Tancontian said he felt a mixed of emotions after winning his final match in the UAAP.
"Siyempre, fulfilling siya. And a little sad since ang UAAP ang isa sa pinakamalaking nagbigay sa akin ng experience and how to handle pressure. Kung paano mag-rise from a loss," he told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
"Pero masaya ako. Siyempre, na-end ko yung career ko dito sa UAAP as a champion. And as a champion team, lalong-lalo na lahat kami. From men's, women's, juniors, boys and girls," Tancontian added.
But the road to four straight gold medals was not an easy one, as the UST product was close to quitting after clinching bronze in his freshman year.
READ: UAAP: Dominant UST completes event sweep in judo
At that time, Tancontian just won a sambo gold medal in the 2019 SEA Games.
"Bronze lang ako. I lost during my first year playing in the seniors in UAAP. From that time, medyo na-depress talaga ako. I was very sad kasi I was fresh from SEA Games gold ng Sambo. Tapos siguro, due to bad weight management or something, natalo ako. And then, yung time na yun, parang I was about to quit," he shared.
"Pero nakausap naman ako at nagkaroon ako ng laas ng loob ulit after nung break ng pandemic. So napagpahinga ako. So when I got back, natuloy-tuloy ko na siya. From my second playing year hanggang last playing year ko, nakuha ko na yung four gold medals. And during Season 85, nag-MVP din ako," Tancontian said.
Looking back, the 25-year-old is grateful he did not give up and stayed the course.
"Now, looking at saan ko gusto papunta, saan yung journey na ito papunta towards the [Los Angeles] Olympics. And ngayon, sobrang happy ako na di ako tumigil. Nag-pursigi lang ako at sige, para makatapos at sige ma-enjoy itong journey na ito," he said.
After capping off his UAAP career with five gold medals, Tancontian is now focused on finishing his Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Sports Management degree.
"Yun yung wish at request sa amin ng parents ko na makapag-tapos kami sa pag-aaral. And siyempre bonus na na sa isang magandang school pa. And naging libre siya through our scholarship," he said.
ROAD TO OLYMPICS
UST's Chino Sy Tancontian. UAAP Media
Following his success on the international stage in sambo, Tancontian is now looking to represent the Philippines in judo at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Being a student-athlete all his life, Tancontian made sure to strike a good balance between his studies and judo training.
READ: Judoka Chino Sy sees SEA Games gold as 'huge step' towards Olympic dream
Up next for him is the Taipei Asian Open 2026 set for July 11 to 12 in Chinese Taipei.
"Sinakto ko talaga sya na after graduation. Ngayon naman, hindi naman natigil yung training ko. So after SEA Games, for UAAP, nag-prepare ako. So from this point, yun, ang pagpa-preparean ko naman is the Taipei Asian Open. Hopefully, sana magandang mauwi ko na result," he said.
After the Taipei Asian Open 2026, the qualifiers for the Olympics will officially kick off.
"Ngayon, pina-plot ko pa yung after nung Taipei Asian Open since maraming available. Pero sa tingin ko, mas magpo-focus ako heavily next year. Kasi for this year, yung magiging points na ma-earn ko will be deducted 50% going into next year," he said.
For Tancontian, the goal remains the same – to book a spot in the Olympics and to represent the Philippines in men's judo for the first time since 2016.
"Siyempre, yung [dream is] makapatong sa Olympic stage. Yun talaga, every athlete's dream is to become an Olympian. Yung process, yung paghihirap, willing ako pagdaanan lahat. Gusto ko i-enjoy to at saka ipakita sa lahat ng tao na pag nangarap ka at saka ginawa mo yung tamang journey towards your dream, kayang-kaya abutin yung mga pangarap," he shared.