Junna Tsukii delivers Philippines' first gold medal in 2022 World Games

Junna Tsukii captured the country's first gold medal in the 2022 World Games after ruling the women’s under-50 kg kumite on Saturday morning (Philippine time) in Birmingham, USA.

Congratulations Junna Tsukii for winning the gold medal in the Women’s Kumite -50kg event at the Birmingham 2022 World Games in Birmingham, USA.#GalingngAtletangPilipino#IAmSportsPositive#parasainangbayan???????? pic.twitter.com/EW7gVTzc7c

— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) July 9, 2022

The Filipino-Japanese karateka defeated Venezuela’s Yorgelis Salazar, 2-0, to claim the top honors. Miho Miyahara of Japan, meanwhile, settled for bronze.

"This is a gold medal to all of you who have continued to believe in me at all times. Thank you so much, I love you," the 30-year-old Tsukii said in a Facebook post shortly after ruling her category.

The Philippines sent a total of 10 athletes to the World Games, which is tipped to run until July 17.

Joining Tsukii in the delegation are Carlo Biado and Rubilen Amit of billiards, powerlifter Joyce Gail Reboton,  jiu-jitsu champion Annie Ramirez, muay sensations Philip Delarmino and Leeana Bade and duathlon top bets Marion Kim Mangrobang, John Chicano and Fernando Caseres.

"Our athletes are ready for the competition and hopefully we’re going to make the podium,” said chef de mission Pato Gregorio in a statement.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News