Filipina swimmer Kayla Sanchez competes in the women's 50-m freestyle final in the 2026 Asian Games, September 23, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. POC Media
MANILA—Kayla Sanchez wrapped up her final individual event with a fourth place finish in the 50-meter freestyle on Thursday, Sept. 24, as the Philippines remained in search of an elusive swimming medal in the Asian Games.
Sanchez clocked in 24.75 seconds, smashing her national record of 24.86 seconds set last August.
But it was another heartbreaking miss for the 25-year-old, who was missed out by 0.29 seconds from Chinese bronze medalist Cheng Yujie (24.46).
Wu Qingfeng of China snagged gold in 23.98 seconds, setting a new Asian Games record, while Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey took silver in 24.32.
The last Filipino who stood in the podium was Raymond Papa who won bronze medals in the men’s 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ last swimming gold came at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, where William “Billy” Wilson topped the men’s 200-meter freestyle.