The Philippines Closes Asian Games With Biggest Haul in Six Decades

Olympic champions Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena, alongside rising athlete Jeus Yape, took home the country’s four golds.

By Currie Cator October 5, 2026
Courtesy: AFP

The Philippines has wrapped up the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan with its largest haul in six decades, bagging four golds, nine silvers, and 16 bronzes for a total of 29 medals. 

The record surpasses every national total since winning 42 in the 1966 staging in Bangkok, Thailand. While the country fell short of its initial target of eight golds, it has strengthened its competitive base by reaching the podium in more disciplines.

“We’re very happy we won so many medals in many sports,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio. “That is the big change, and that is what is important to the development of Philippine sports, particularly our grassroots program.”

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, already an Olympic champion, led the delegation with two consecutive golds. He ruled both the floor exercise and vault, becoming the first Filipino to have clinched a medal for the sport in the competition. The 26-year-old gymnastic star’s resumé now includes titles from the Asian Games, Asian Championships, Southeast Asian Games, World Championships, and World Cup, and the Olympics.

Two-time Olympian EJ Obiena also defended his crown in pole vault — even resetting the record at 5.91 meters to cement his title as Asia’s best. He is only the fourth back-to-back champion in the event.

Jeus Yape made his breakthrough with his triumph in the inaugural mixed individual virtual taekwondo event. The rising athlete, who also served as the flag bearer for Team Philippines in the closing ceremony on October 4, became the country’s first Asian Games gold medalist in the sport after already claiming a bronze in the individual poomsae.

Beyond the landmark golds, more Filipino athletes raised the flag across the continental showpiece. PARCINQ rounds up the country’s silver and bronze medalists below.

Silver:

  1. Carlo Paalam – Boxing (Men’s 55 kg)
  2. GIlas Pilipinas – Basketball (Women’s 3×3)
  3. Amaya Cojuangco – Archery (Compound Women’s Individual)
  4. Alexandria Enriquez – Jiu Jitsu (Women’s -63 kg)
  5. Jean Claude Saclag – Mixed Martial Arts (Men’s Traditional -65 kg)
  6. Philippine Women’s Sepak Takraw Team – Sepak Takraw (Women’s Doubles)
  7. Kurt Barbosa – Taekwondo (Men’s -58 kg)
  8. Tachiana Mangin – Taekwondo (Women’s -49 kg)
  9. Juliana Candelaria – Taekwondo (Women’s Individual Poomsae)

Bronze:

  1. Alex Eala – Tennis (Women’s Singles)
  2. Eldrew Yulo – Artistic Gymnastics (Men’s Horizontal Bar)
  3. Jeus Yape – Taekwondo (Men’s Individual Poomsae)
  4. Ian Albert Delos Santos – Weightlifting (Men’s 70 kg – All Groups)
  5. Alas Pilipinas – Beach Volleyball (Women’s)
  6. John Tolentino – Athletics (Men’s 110m Hurdles)
  7. Victoria Bossong – Athletics (Women’s 800m)
  8. Kaila Napolis – Jiu Jitsu (Women’s -52 kg)
  9. Marie Adriano – Karate (Women’s Kumite -50 kg)
  10. Carlos Alvarez – Mixed Martial Arts (Men’s Traditional -77 kg)
  11. Jayuard Alciso – Surfing (Men’s Shortboard)
  12. Philippine Men’s Sepak Takraw Team – Sepak Takraw (Men’s Regu)
  13. Philippine Women’s Karate Team – Karate (Women’s Team Kata)
  14. Philippine Women’s Soft Tennis Team – Soft Tennis (Women’s Team)
  15. Sibol Hok – ESports (Honor of Kings)
  16. Sibol Pokemon Unite – ESports (Pokemon Unite)

Fielding 446 athletes across 38 sports at the 2026 Asian Games, the Philippines did more than just expand its footprint. The delegation ultimately produced emerging talent and achieved historic breakthroughs in disciplines long overshadowed by traditional powerhouses — renewing hope for the future of local sports.