Pinoy Judoka Hoshina bows out of Olympics

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Japanese judoka Tomohiko Hoshina joins other Pinoy athletes who ended their Olympic campaigns early after a loss in his Round of 32 match against South Korean Kim Sung-Min in the men +100kg judo event. 

South Korea’s Kim Sung-Min won by an ippon or one full point, 3 minutes and 57 seconds into the match. 

Hoshina was considered the underdog entering this event with Kim being the 2008 Asian Judo champion, and bronze medalist at the 2011 World Judo Championships.  

Hoshina, 25, is the son of a Filipina from Malolos Bulacan and a former Japanese soldier. Based in Fuji City where he is a secondary school teacher, Hoshina decided to compete for the Philippines admitting that his chances of earning a spot would be greater in the Philippines. 

He qualified for the olympics thanks to a rule called “continental allocation” which provides  100 additional places for athletes who fail to qualify via “direct qualification”. His 27 ranking points earned during competitions in 2011 were enough to get him to qualify.

Team Philippines now has 4 athletes left to compete after Hoshina’s elimination.

For the latest Team Philippines schedule and standings, view Rappler’s tracker. – Rappler.com