Toyohashi, Japan, October 2, 2026: The Philippines’ Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape made Asian Games history at Toyohashi Gymnasium on Friday when he won the first Mixed Individual Virtual Taekwondo title.
Yape defeated Ngoc Tuyet Sang Chau of Vietnam 2-0 in the final, with scores of 500-0 in round one and 620-0 in round two of the high-octane digital combat.
The 22-year-old Yape added the virtual taekwondo gold to the bronze medal he had earned in men’s individual poomsae the previous day.
“Yape arrived in Japan having already carved his name on to the international stage, capturing bronze in the freestyle team event at the 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong before adding another bronze in the mixed team freestyle event at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand,” the Philippine Olympic Committee posted.
In the mixed individual virtual taekwondo final, Yape amassed a dominant 1120-0 edge in total Remaining HP (Health Points) behind 21 total kicks, 5 head kicks and 5 blocks to claim the Philippines' 4th gold medal of the Games and eclipse the country's Hangzhou gold tally. The previous three gold medals had been won by gymnast Carlo Yulo (2) and men’s pole vault champion Ernest “EJ” Obiena.
“Two disciplines. Two challenges. One Philippine flag—raised twice at the Toyohashi Gymnasium. Mabuhay ka (long live), Jeus!”