Young poomsae guns Candelaria, Yape add silver, bronze to PH haul in Asian Games

MEDALISTS. Taekwondo athletes Juliana Candelaria and Jeus Yape of the Philippines flash their poomsae medals in the 2026 Asian Games.

PSC-POC Media Pool

Only 18 years old, Juliana Candelaria delivers the highest finish by a Filipino taekwondo athlete in the Asian Games in two decades with a silver, while Jeus Yape contributes a bronze

MANILA, Philippines – Two young taekwondo standouts aided the Philippines’ medal cause in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as Juliana Mykhail Candelaria and Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape won a pair of poomsae medals.

Candelaria snagged silver in the women’s individual poomsae, while Yape bagged bronze in the men’s individual poomsae at Toyohashi Gymnasium on Thursday, October 1.

Only 18 years old, Candelaria delivered the highest finish by a Filipino taekwondo athlete in the Asian Games in two decades, or since Tshomlee Go and Toni Rivero won silver apiece in the 2006 edition in Doha, Qatar. 

“I feel great about everything. I’m super, duper thankful for the opportunity. At my age, oh my gosh!” Candelaria told One Sports in a mix of English and Filipino. “I’m so hyped and so happy for everyone who competed.”

Candelaria netted an average of 9.13 points for the silver as she finished behind South Korea’s Jung Ha-eun, who struck gold with 9.31 points. 

“It’s such an amazing achievement for me. It’s my first Asian Games, so super, duper thankful for everything.”

Yape, meanwhile, finished third with 9.09 points, sharing the podium with South Korea’s gold winner Yun Kyu-sung (9.38) and Thailand’s silver medalist Navin Pinthasute (9.28).

“I’m happy with my performance. I did my best, and I gave it my all,” Yape told One Sports. 

Singapore’s Zong Han Darren Yap also won bronze as the fourth placer with 9.04 points. 

The podium finishes by Candelaria and Yape bode well for the rest of the Philippine taekwondo team, with the likes of three-time Southeast Asian Games titlist Kurt Barbosa and world junior champion Tachiana Mangin also eyeing medals. – Rappler.com