Photo courtesy of POC Media
MANILA – With the Asian Games just weeks away, Chino Sy is making the most of his training camp in Japan to prepare for one of the biggest tests of his career.
Sy will be carrying the Philippine flag on his chest, as he makes his maiden appearance at the continental showcase.
The Filipino judoka will be competing in the men's –100kg division, the same weight class he ruled at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.
Just like last year, the 25-year-old is training in Osaka, Japan before the continental showcase.
Sy is training with Tenri University, an institution that has produced multiple Olympians and world champions including three-time Olympic gold medalist Tadahiro Nomura.
READ: After SEAG gold, Chino Sy eager to test skills in Asian Games debut
"On the technical side and sa judo na side, siyempre sobrang taas ng level of ano nila dito, standard. So as much as possible, tinatry ko i-absorb lahat. Siyempre, kailangan ko maging safe kasi mas malakas tayo pag hindi injured or walang sakit sa katawan during the competition," Sy told ABS-CBN News in an online interview on Wednesday.
"Pero siyempre, sinasagad ko rin 'yung sarili ko. Hoping to be fruitful 'tong training camp na 'to for my upcoming competitions," he added.
For Sy, one of his biggest takeaways from training in Japan is their attention to detail and polishing their skills by going back to the basics.
"Iba 'yung discipline nila. 'Yung perfection, they're aiming for a perfect technique. Hindi po sila ganun karaming technique mag-aral, pero 'yung precision nila with each entry, with variations, sobrang na-amaze rin po ako," he explained.
"Kasi para sa akin, tingin ko advanced na ako pag nag-learn. Pero pagdating dito, 'yung pinaka-basic, 'yun 'yung kailangan nilang, ginagawa nilang, sinasharpen nila. At ginagawa nila parati and it's very effective. Kaya 'yun po 'yung isa sa mga gusto kong ma-absorb. Siyempre at saka madala moving forward with my career," Sy shared.
READ: From bronze to gold: UST judoka Chino Sy Tancontian ends collegiate career on top
Even just four days in training with Japanese athletes, the Davao City native sees the importance of sharpening basic skills.
"Ang basic pa rin ang pinaka-effective, lalong lalo na sa mga laro, sa competitions. Kasi a strong basic foundation is something na pwede mong i-adjust kahit pa medyo weird," Sy said.
"Lalo na po mga European countries, medyo brute strength ang kanilang base sa paglalaro. Pero the Japanese people, sobrang technical talaga nila pagdating sa paglalaro," he pointed out.
For Sy, the Asiad is an opportunity to measure his rise against Asia's best and a chance to turn his regional success to breakthrough on the continental stage.
The Philippines has only one medal from the Asian Games: silver from two-time Olympian Kiyomi Watanabe in the women's –63kg division from the 2018 edition.
"It's full of stars and the very strongest people ng sport ko. So I'm looking forward na ma-observe sila. Siyempre, makasalamuha sila. And of course, kung papalarin, makalaro sila at matalo sila. So, siyempre, yun yung view [ko] on this Asian Games," Sy shared.
"At siyempre, talaga, gusto ko lang talaga magpasalamat for giving me this opportunity na makarepresent ng country sa Asian Games," he added.
ROAD TO OLYMPICS
Sy is not just preparing for the Asian Games as he is already looking ahead to the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 25-year-old said the Asian Games is not just a major competition for him; it will help him gauge his skill level in the sport.
Sy is currently ranked No. 71 in the men's –100 kg division, according to the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Ranking List.
For each weight category, the 17 highest ranked athletes in the qualification period will earn a direct ticket to the Los Angeles Olympics, with a maximum of one athlete per National Olympic Committee (NOC) per category.
Athletes can also qualify through the continental qualification depending on the quote places allotted per continent, with only one athlete per NOC across all weight categories and genders.
READ: Judoka Chino Sy sees SEA Games gold as 'huge step' towards Olympic dream
In Asia, there are 12 quota slots each for the men's and women's divisions. There will also be 10 universality places or slots given as a 'lifeline' to athletes from underrepresented NOCs to promote diversity.
After the continental showcase, Sy will be competing in several tournaments to improve his current ranking and boost his Olympic hopes.
"Siyempre kailangan kong sumali as much as possible sa mga competitions na IJF-sanctioned para maka-garner ako ng points. Siyempre para tumaas nang tumaas 'yung ranking ko, hopefully I get there at top 25 or hopefully if not sa continental quota naman for Asian region," he said.
The SEA Games gold medalist hopes to become the first male judoka from the Philippines to qualify for the Olympics since 2016, when Kodo Nakano competed at the Rio Summer Games.
"The biggest goal is the Olympics. And siyempre gusto kong i-represent ang country natin, ang family ko, at ang sarili ko siyempre on the biggest stage every athlete can have," Sy said.