Team Philippines loses another bet as Nakano bows out

RIO DE JANEIRO – Kodo Nakano, a last-minute Filipino entry in the judo competitions of the 2016 Rio Olympics, took an early exit Tuesday here.

The 23-year-old Nakano was given a ticket to the Rio Games only a week ago, and had to take the first plane out to Rio from Japan where he stays with his mother, a Filipina.

Nakano, who still feels the effects of jetlag after being on the plane for almost 30 hours heading here, saw action in the men’s 81 kg class Tuesday morning.

He lost to Matteo Marconcini of Italy by Ippon. The match lasted only a minute and 19 seconds.

“Laban (match) not very good,” said Nakano, who speaks a little Filipino.

Nakano is in his first Olympics and met an opponent who just won the silver medal in the Almaty Grand Prix in Kazakhstan last May.

“Malakas (Strong). Magaling (Very good),” said Nakano of his opponent.

Ippon is the highest score in judo, and is scored when a contestant throws his opponent to the mat with “considerable force and speed” and the latter lands on his back.

If it were boxing, an Ippon is a knockout. It ends the match as the referee signals by raising his arm.

Nakano, who was invited to Rio when an Iranian entry in the 81 kg class withdrew at the last minute, was happy to be in the Olympics.

“Masaya ako Olympics,” said Nakano.

Then he thanked the Philippine Karatedo Federation under Dave Carter for the opportunity, and the Philippine Olympic Committee for the support.

His Japanese coach had very little English in his bag.

“Late replacement. No prepare well,” he said, referring to Nakano.

Nakano had actually represented the country in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games but failed to make a podium finish. Yet, he kept on trying, hoping to make it to the Olympics.

He could not get past the qualifiers but was listed as a candidate replacement, but the call came just three days before the opening ceremony.

Still, he came and competed but bumped into a talented, more superior Marconcini.