Following SEA Games victory, taekwondo jin Tachiana Mangin focuses on Asian Games bid

Fresh off her breakthrough triumph at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Filipina taekwondo prodigy Tachiana Mangin is already turning her attention to the next challenge on the international stage.

The 18-year-old made waves in Bangkok last December after capturing the gold medal in the women’s -49kg kyorugi event, ending Thailand’s long-standing dominance in the division. 

The victory added another milestone to her already impressive resume, which includes becoming the first Filipina to win a Junior World Championship in taekwondo.

But for Mangin, the SEA Games victory is only a steppingstone. Her focus now shifts to earning a place in the 2026 Asian Games scheduled in Japan from September to October — a tournament that could mark another historic moment in her young career.

“Masaya po and hopefully po na manalo po sa Asian Championships para po makalaro po sa Asian Games,” she said.

Before she can step onto the Asian Games stage, Mangin must first pass a crucial test, the Asian Championships set for May. The tournament will serve as the primary qualification event for athletes hoping to secure a spot in the continental showcase.

“This year po meron po kaming Asian Games. Ngayon po kasi nagbago po kami ng rules for Taekwondo para po ma-qualify sa Asian Games. Meron po muna kaming Asian Championships which gaganapin po sa May,” the 18-year-old taekwondo athlete said.

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KICKSTART TO GOLD

Taekwondo jin Tachiana Mangin powers through the women’s 49kg Kyorugi division to deliver a gold medal for the Philippines in her SEA Games 2025 Thailand debut! | via Julia Vargas/Cignal#OSOnTheSpot #SEAGames2025 #SEAGamesThailand #TibayAtTatag pic.twitter.com/rxdB9xoYbK

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 12, 2025

With less than two months remaining before the qualifiers, the young athlete said their training schedule is set to intensify as she and her coaches push to maximize every remaining day of preparation.

“Next week magsisimula na po kami ng three times a day training. So talagang for me po importante po siya kasi first time po din po makakalaro sa Asian Games,” Mangin said.

Aside from sharpening her techniques on the mat, Mangin said she also needs to focus on mental conditioning and maintaining the right weight as she prepares to compete against some of Asia’s toughest fighters.

While Mangin gears up for the next step in her career, Philippine taekwondo is also preparing for a new era in training infrastructure. The Philippine Sports Commission has begun developing a new National Taekwondo Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, following the renovation of the tennis courts within the historic venue.

The upcoming facility will serve as a new training home for the country’s taekwondo athletes and may also be used by other martial arts and combat sports.

Mangin welcomed the development, saying the improved facilities will further motivate athletes like her to aim higher in international competitions.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami na binigyan niyo po kami ng blessing, ganitong opportunity. Mas na-inspire kami, na-motivate na mas mag-training ng maigi at manalo ng more competitions,” she said.

Despite already achieving significant milestones early in her career, Mangin believes her journey in the sport is far from complete.

After breaking barriers in the SEA Games and the junior world stage, the young Filipina jin is determined to keep improving — with hopes of once again raising the Philippine flag on a much bigger stage.

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