Watanabe suffers 1st round exit for 2nd straight Olympics

MANILA – Kiyomi Watanabe suffered another first-round exit in the women's 63-kilogram judo event at the Paris Olympics after losing to China's Tang Jing at the Champ-De-Mars Arena in the French capital on Tuesday.

Tang needed just 51 seconds to submit Watanabe as the Filipino-Japanese judoka was out of contention after just one fight, three years after she also was sent home in the first round in Tokyo.

It took only 10 seconds for Tang to take down Watanabe as the latter was forced to play ground game defense for the rest of the first minute.

Tang, though, found an opening for the kuzure-kesa-gatame, and Watanabe failed to get out of the grapple hold during the 20-second ippon count.

Watanabe became the sixth member of the 22-member Philippine team to walk away empty-handed and the second for the day after Joanie Delgaco missed the finals cut in the women's single sculls rowing event.

"Proud of You, Kiyomi Watanabe! Despite the loss in the 63kg elimination, your determination and hard work shine brightly. You've made the Philippines proud and inspired many with your Olympic journey. Keep your head high and continue to fight! Mabuhay ka (Long live), Kiyomi!" the Philippine Olympic Committee posted on social media.

Fencer Samantha Cantantan, troubled by a previous knee injury, and female gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo have also ended their stints. (PNA)