We are Japanese-Filipino Judo players whose names are Shugen Pablo Nakano and Keisei Pablo Nakano.
We are twins who live in Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture. We hold citizenship in the Philippines and are currently representing the country in Judo and aiming for the Olympics. Kodo Nakano, who is a coach and the twins’ brother, represented the Philippines in Judo at the 2016 Rio Olympics. We travel to compete around the world.
We continue our athletic and social activities for the sake of the Philippines, our second home, and for the future of the mixed-race athletes.
I have experienced being discriminated against for my nationality—not being a pure-blooded Japanese. I was sometimes conflicted and worried about “who I am”. As an athlete with mixed race, I will strive to provide opportunities for those who suffer from nationality discrimination through my activities and open new paths for the future of the new generation of children who want to pursue a career in sports. I am grateful and proud to wave and raise the Philippine flag and will continue to fight to be the bridge between the Philippines and Japan.
| Tournament Name | Results |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2019, 73kg class | Third place |
| Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2021, 73kg class | Second place |
| Tahiti Oceania Open 2022, 73kg class | Third place |
| Tahiti Oceania Open 2024, 73kg class | First place |
| Abidjan African Open 2024, 73kg class | Third place |
| Lima Panamerican Open 2024, 73kg class | Third place |
【Third place】Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2019, 73kg class
【Second place】Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2021, 73kg class
【Third place】Tahiti Oceania Open 2022, 73kg class
【First place】Tahiti Oceania Open 2024, 73kg class
【Third place】Abidjan African Open 2024, 73kg class
【Third place】Lima Panamerican Open 2024, 73kg class
When I represented the Philippines in the Olympics as a half-blooded Filipino, I experienced various forms of discrimination. Despite all of those, I want to show to them my potential through Judo and for the sake of the other people of mixed-race who have the same heartbreaking experiences as mine, I hope that I am able to inspire and move their hearts however little this is. As a professional player of two different cultures and races, my ambition is to find solutions to social issues in the Philippines while conveying Japanese culture and compete against the world with gratitude and pride in my heart.
| Tournament Name | Results |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2017, 66kg class | Third place |
| Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2019, 66kg class | First place |
| Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2021, 66kg class | First place |
| Tahiti Oceania Open 2022, 66kg class | First place |
| Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2023, 66kg class | Second place |
| Tahiti Oceania Open 2024, 66kg class | First place |
【Third place】Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2017, 66kg class
【First place】Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2019, 66kg class
【First place】Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2021, 66kg class
【First place】Tahiti Oceania Open 2022, 66kg class
【Second place】Southeast Asia Olympics Sea Games 2023, 66kg class
【First place】Tahiti Oceania Open 2024, 66kg class
Kodo Nakano is the older brother of Shugen and Keisei Nakano. We have been following our older brother’s career in sports such as him representing the country in Judo and participating in the national qualifiers. Through our Judo experiences, we have deepened our identity as interracial sportsmen and have witnessed the existence of Filipino children who are underpreviledge and do not have access to any sports. We want to give courage to children through playing an even active role. Through these roles and activities, we would like to build sports facilities in the Philippines in the future and make a lot of effort to improve the sports environment and raise the level of sports. We have chosen to compete as Filipino athletes in order to give back to the Philippines in which we are welcomed and loved. This allows them to raise the flag high and proud.
We are grateful and proud to have the Philippine flag and we are engaged in a wide range of activities that break the mold of existing athletes so as to deliver hope to people who are in the same situation, children who have great future, and to all those people who support them. As Japanese-Filipino athletes, our goal is to be the bridge between Japan and the Philippines.
The last tournament was TOKYO 2020, and then PARIS 2024.
Due to multiple postponements, We continued running for the past eight years with a worn-out body. We will never forget the moment when We shed tears of frustration after just missing that last step.
We are grateful and proud to be able to compete on the world stage wearing the Philippine flag, and We have vowed to bounce back and aim for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
01
In the Philippines, there are many children who cannot afford to buy equipment or take up sports due to economic reasons.
In order to provide children with opportunities to experience Judo, we collect used and discarded judo wear and donate them.
02
To expand their activities, we established a general incorporated association "AVANCE JUDO ACADEMY" in August 2021, with their elder brother, Torimichi Nakano, as the representative director.
By receiving support for their donation activities and recruiting partners and sponsors, we hope to provide children with an environment where we can experience sports in the future.
Through all of these, we will build sports facilities in the Philippines in the future and contribute to improving the environment and raising the level of sports in the Philippines.
03
| Date | Tournament Name | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 28 - 30 | Philippine National Games | Manila, Philippines |
| April 24 - 27 | Asian Judo Championships | Bangkok, Thailand |
| May 18 – 25 | Southeast Asia Judo Championships Tagaytay | Tagaytay, Philippines |
| June 13 - 19 | Budapest, Hungary World Championships | Budapest, Hungary |
| July 12 - 13 | Asian Open, Taipei | Taipei, Taiwan |
| October 17 - 19 | Grand Slam, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| October 25 - 26 | Asian Open, Hong Kong | Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| December 6 - 7 | Tokyo, Japan Grand Slam | Tokyo, Japan |
| December 19 - 20 | Southeast Asian Game | Bangkok, Thailand |
TOKYO ELECTRON DEVICE ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED
Ark Overseas Human Resource Corp.
KSK Ltd.
Visum Global Philippines, Inc.
Shinsei Printing Philippines, Inc.
Wellness Farm Hyotan-Shima, Inc.
Dr. Hideki Tomioka, Orthopedic Surgeon
Masaki Munenaga
AVANCE JUDO ACADEMY, General Incorporated Association.
AVANCE JUDO ACADEMY collects used judo uniforms and donates them to developing countries.
If you would like to help us, please contact us using the form below.
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