October 30, 2023
by Arbe Jay Polancos
The People’s Republic of China is the host for the 19th Asian Games which was held at Hangzhou this year. From the 23rd of September last month to this month’s 8th of October, almost 400 Filipino athletes were sent and deployed to represent the country.
From Aquatics to Breakdancing down to Martial arts and Mind sports, a total of 40 sports programs were prepared for all the Asian delegates to participate in. Hindustantimes.com provides a full list of the games.
| 1. Aquatics | 11. Cycling | 21. Kabaddi | 31. Sport climbing |
| – Artistic swimming | – BMX | 22. Martial arts | 32. Squash |
| – Diving | – Mountain bike | – Ju-jitsu | 33. Table tennis |
| – Marathon swimming | – Road | – Karate | 34. Taekwondo |
| – Swimming | – Track | – Kurash | 35. Tennis |
| – Water polo | 12. Dragon boat | 23. Mind sports | – Soft tennis |
| 2. Archery | 13. Equestrian | – Bridge | – Tennis |
| 3. Athletics | 14. Fencing | – Chess | 36. Triathlon |
| 4. Badminton | 15. Field hockey | – Esports | 37. Volleyball |
| 5. Baseball | 16. Football | – Go | – Beach volleyball |
| – Baseball | 17. Golf | – Xiangqi | – Volleyball |
| – Softball | 18. Gymnastics | 24. Modern pentathlon | 38. Weightlifting |
| 6. Basketball | – Artistic | 25. Roller sports | 39. Wrestling |
| – Basketball | – Rhythmic | – Roller skating | 40. Wushu |
| – 3×3 basketball | – Trampoline | – Skateboarding | |
| 7. Boxing | 19. Handball | 26. Rowing | |
| 8. Breakdancing | 20. Judo | 27. Rugby sevens | |
| 9. Canoeing | 28. Sailing | ||
| – Slalom | 29. Sepak takraw | ||
| – Sprint | 30. Shooting | ||
| 10. Cricket |
The Filipino athletes garnered overall 18 medals with 4 being gold, 2 silver, and 12 bronze medals. When compared to the last Asian Games held in Indonesia way back in 2018, where they won 21 medals, with 4 still gold, and still 2 silvers, but 3 bronze medals more than this year’s tally shows that the increase of athletes does not necessarily mean more medals.
Olympics.com has tallied all the respective sports and/or events in the 19th Asian Games with the corresponding medals for the Philippines. Perhaps the most exciting event was when Ernest John Obiena, who was recently an Olympian in the pole-vaulting event, won the first gold medal for the Philippines last September 30, 2023. He was able to clear and finish the 5.75 meters after trying twice and solely clearing the 5.90-meter mark after just one attempt. Talk about a feat.
Margarita “Meggie” Ochoa, a Jiu-Jitsu fighter, gave the Philippines its second gold medal. Sunstar.com reports that only one point was Ochoa’s advantage against Balqees Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates. On the succeeding day, the Philippines won another gold medal from the same event which was coveted by Annie Ramirez for women’s 57kg competition, an 11kg heavier than Margarita Ochoa.
The last gold medal that the PH delegates won was from Basketball Men. After their bout with China for the semi-finals scoring a nail-biting 77-76 in favor of Gilas, Jordan was their final opponent. The Jordan team was led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a former NBA player, and was predicted to have greater odds at winning. The final game came and after six decades, the Philippine team won gold again and was hailed as champions for Basketball since the 1960s. Leading the team was Justin Brownlee who, after winning, was tested for doping. He was positive and was consequently suspended.