Kristen Ambriel Aguila competes in the girls' individual recognized poomsae in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, October 23, 2025 in Manama, Bahrain. POC photo
Kristen Ambriel Aguila kicked off the Philippine taekwondo team's campaign with a silver medal in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, Thursday in Manama, Bahrain.
The 15-year-old Filipina fell short against her taller Iranian counterpart in Zeinab Shahriari, 8.86-8.60, in the gold medal match at the Exhibition World Bahrain Hall 2 to settle for the runner-up finish in the girls' individual recognized poomsae.
Earlier, Aguila rallied back for a close 8.52-8.51 victory over Yuqi Li of China in the semifinals.
Winner of two gold medals in the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Youth League in Wuxi, China last year, the Filipina reached the medal round by beating Datkaiym Aibekova of Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinals, 8.44-8.14.
She began he campaign with a win over Suha Rayefa Syeed of Bangladesh in the round-of-16 (8.51-8.39).
This is the country's third medal in taekwondo in its history of participation in the meet. Pauline Lopez won gold in the 2013 edition in Nanjing, China, while Francis Aaron Agojo also won a silver in the same year.
Not as fortunate was Caleb Angelo Calde, who bowed against Iranian Behdad Naghiee in the quarterfinals of the boys’ individual recognised poomsae, 8.51-8.39.
Also bowing out was the tandem of Alfonzo Gabriel Tormon and Angel Lyn Yvainne Dacanay in the quarterfinals of the Mixed Pair Recognized Poomsae against the Thai pair of Suchanang Injang and Nitikon Yimprasert, 8.5000-8.4300.
Former World Taekwondo Poomsae champion Rani Ann Ortega Lagman serves as coach of the team.