Carlos Yulo, Eldrew Yulo, Jean Claude Saclag, Gilas Pilipinas Women, and more headline Team Philippines’ biggest moments so far at the 2026 Asian Games.
Team Philippines is only a few days into the 2026 Asian Games, but Aichi-Nagoya has already delivered history, heartbreak, and a handful of serious medal possibilities.
As of 12 am on September 22, the cutoff for this report, the Philippines had collected two bronze medals, secured at least one more medal through mixed martial arts, and sent some of its biggest sporting names deeper into contention. More than 450 Filipino athletes are competing across 38 sports—the country’s largest Asian Games delegation in more than three decades.
Here are the performances worth knowing so far:
Carlos and Eldrew Yulo are officially in the medal hunt
Two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo wasted little time reminding Asia what he can do. He topped qualification in the men’s floor exercise with 14.600 points, earning a place in the final alongside younger brother Karl Eldrew Yulo, who ranked fourth with 13.966.
Carlos also advanced to the vault and parallel bars finals, giving the Paris 2024 double-gold medalist multiple opportunities to chase his first Asian Games gold. Eldrew, meanwhile, is making his Asian Games debut at just 18. Fellow Filipino gymnast Juancho Miguel Besana also qualified fourth in vault.
Jean Claude Saclag is one fight away from gold
One of the Philippines’ biggest breakthroughs has come from Jean Claude Saclag, who defeated Japan’s Daisuke Murayama by unanimous decision in the men’s traditional MMA -65kg semifinals.
The victory puts Saclag into the gold-medal match against Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov on September 22—and guarantees the Philippines at least a silver medal. A victory would also make Saclag the country’s first Asian Games champion in mixed martial arts, which is making its Asiad medal debut.
Teammate Carlos Alvarez has already delivered another podium finish, taking bronze in the men’s traditional -77kg division after bowing to Kazakhstan’s Yerkingali Burkutalin in the semifinals.
Soft tennis delivers a historic first medal
The Philippines’ first medal from Aichi-Nagoya came from an unexpected—but historic—source. Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig, Christy Sañosa, Shyryn Salazar, and Hilary Paas secured bronze in the women’s soft tennis team event after reaching the semifinals. Their run ended against defending champion Japan, but the result marked the Philippines’ first Asian Games medal in soft tennis since the sport became a medal event in 1994.
Gilas Pilipinas Women are rolling into the quarterfinals
While the men’s title defense ended in the group stage, Gilas Pilipinas Women have given Philippine basketball another campaign to follow.
After opening with an 86-58 victory over Kazakhstan, the Filipinas defeated Hong Kong, 90-73, to improve to 2-0 and book a quarterfinal berth. Their next test is significantly tougher: host nation Japan on September 22.
Kayla Sanchez resets her own Philippine record
Olympian Kayla Sanchez may have missed the podium in the women’s 50-meter backstroke, but she still left a mark on the record books. The Filipino-Canadian swimmer broke her own Philippine national record twice on September 21, first in the heats and again later in the day.
Sanchez returns to the pool on September 22 for the women’s 100m freestyle, alongside Heather White, while Gian Santos and Xiandi Chua also continue the Philippine swimming campaign.
The Filipinas advances despite a difficult China defeat
The Philippine women’s national football team has also moved beyond the group stage. After drawing Uzbekistan and beating Hong Kong, the Filipinas advanced to the knockout rounds despite closing Group G with a defeat to powerhouse China on September 21.
Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas ends her Asiad campaign
2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas was eliminated in the opening round of the women’s 51kg boxing tournament after losing to India’s Sakshi. Sakshi defeated the 31-year-old via unanimous decision, with four judges scoring the bout 30-27 and one awarding a 30-26 victory to the Indian fighter.
The coming days only get busier. Saclag fights for gold and Gilas Women take on Japan. Still waiting in the wings are two of the Philippines’ most recognizable medal hopes: pole vault star EJ Obiena and tennis ace Alex Eala.
For Team Philippines, Aichi-Nagoya is only getting started.
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