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SEA Games: PH Judokas face stern test as Cambodia fields naturalized players

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="PSC/POC Media" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/sports/05/20/shugen-nakano-5202022.jpg"/><figcaption>Shugen Nakano in judo action. PSC/POC Media</figcaption></figure></div>Aside from Vietnam, host Cambodia looms as a major threat to the Philippine judo team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh.Like in basketball and other sports, the hosts have enlisted naturalized players in judo – three from Japan, two from Ukraine and one from China – in a bid to steal the thunder from the regional powers.The Philippines is pinning its hopes on 17 judokas to at least duplicate its two-gold performance in the last SEA Games in Hanoi.Leading the Philippines&#x27; charge are 2021 champs Shugen Nagano and Rena Furukawa, silver medalist Daryl Mercado and Kesei Nakano, Ryuoko Salinas and sisters Jeanalane and Leah Jhane Lopez.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/20/22/sea-games-shugen-nakano-delivers-judo-gold-for-ph">SEA Games: Shugen Nakano delivers judo gold for Philippines</a></li></ul>There are 10 individual events at stake in the judo competitions here but per organizers’ rule, non-Cambodian countries may only take part in a maximum of seven.Action begins Saturday at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center Hall C with the men’s kime no kata and women’s ju no kata events.First to the mat are Alvin Mendoza, Bryan Quillotes, and the Rafael sisters, Joemari-Heart and Jewel Ann.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/19/22/sea-games-rena-furukawa-strikes-gold-in-womens-judo">SEA Games: Rena Furukawa wins first gold in women&#x27;s judo</a></li></ul>

Aside from Vietnam, host Cambodia looms as a major threat to the Philippine judo team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh.