MANILA – After winning gold on the Southeast Asian level, judoka Chino Sy is eager to test his strength and skills on a bigger stage at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The pride of Davao City will be making his debut in the continental showcase, following his double gold performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.
The 25-year-old will be competing in the men's –100kg division at the Asian Games next month.
READ: Judoka Chino Sy sees SEA Games gold as 'huge step' towards Olympic dream
For Sy, the Asiad will be an opportunity for him to compete against the best in the continent and see his current level in the sport.
"Sobrang thankful ako na nabigyan ako ng ganitong chance to compete at one of the biggest events. So far, this will be the biggest event for me," he told ABS-CBN News in an online interview on Wednesday.
"So comparing to these top caliber athletes ng Asia, sobrang-sobrang grateful ako to be part of it. And siyempre, to showcase what I have. So para sa akin, yung Asian Games, isa talaga ito sa magiging proof kung saan ako, kung saan ako kailangan mag-improve. And siyempre moving forward, magamit ko lahat ng 'to," Sy shared.
READ: From bronze to gold: UST judoka Chino Sy Tancontian ends collegiate career on top
The 25-year-old judoka said his SEA Games gold gave him confidence, but remains hungry and determined to improve as he competes at a higher level.
"It's a testament na kaya ko makipagsabayan sa Southeast Asian region. And of course, moving forward ngayon, it's a bigger, sobrang laking challenge na itong Asian Games. Since more than 50% of Asian Games medalists kayang magmedal sa Olympics at nasa top ranking pagdating sa mga World Championships," Sy shared.
"So sa tingin ko, yung panalo ko dun, [it's] what's fueling me to strive even harder, to improve my techniques, and of course, yung fighting spirit, siyempre di mawawala sa atin mga Filipino yun. And ayun, gusto ko ipakita na kaya rin natin makisabay sa international stage," he added.
Sy is currently in Osaka, Japan for training camp before he heads to Australia to compete in the Perth International Open on September 12.
Two-time Olympian and 2018 Asian Games silver medalist Kiyomi Watanabe will headline the Philippine judo team competing at the Asian Games next month.
READ: Chino Sy Tancontian strikes SEAG gold in men's judo
She will be moving up the women's –78kg division, where she will compete alongside UAAP standout Khrizzie Pabulayan.
Watanabe is aiming to bounce back after losing in the quarterfinals of the women's –63kg division in the previous Asiad.
"Sobrang honored [ako] to be playing alongside her [Watanabe]. And siyempre, looking forward ako to observing how she competes since first time din namin ngayon magsasabay. And siyempre, coming from a two-time Olympian and silver medalist at Asian Games, siyempre gusto ko rin makita kung paano yung pre-game rituals niya," Sy said.
"Gusto ko siya tanungin kung paano siya nagpre-prepare for big tournaments like this. And siyempre, lahat ng yun, I'll try to apply for myself para, syempre, maka-KO as much as possible," he shared.
Completing the women's side is 2025 SEA Games silver medalist Joemari-Heart Rafael in the –57kg division.
Aside from Sy, the male judokas representing the Philippines include Daryl John Mercado (–60kg), Keisei Nakano (–66kg), Gabriel Benedict Quitain (–73kg), and Eskelen Kedo (+100kg).
The Filipino judokas aim to end the country's medal drought in the sport, as they have not made the podium since Watanabe captured silver in the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asiad.
The Asian Games will run from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.