AMAYA Amparo Cojuangco came up short of the gold but struck a major blow for Philippine archery Thursday, winning the silver medal in the women’s individual compound event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

The veteran Filipina bowed to Indonesia’s Nurisa Dian Ashrifah, 139-137, in the gold-medal match at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square, ending a determined run that carried her to a place no Filipino archer had reached before.

At 40, Cojuangco became the first Philippine archer to advance to an Asian Games championship match, giving the country its best-ever finish in the sport at the continental Games.

She earned her place in the final by first defeating Iran’s Bita Asheghzadeh Oskouei, 146-135, in the quarterfinals, then surviving South Korea’s Park Jungyoon, 142-141, in a nail-biting semifinal.

The narrow semifinal victory proved decisive. Cojuangco entered the title match with an Asian Games medal assured and a chance to make history with gold.

Ashrifah ultimately denied her that opportunity, but Cojuangco’s campaign had already rewritten the Philippine record book.

The medal also ended a long wait for Philippine archery, which had not produced an Asian Games podium finisher since Paul Marton Dela Cruz won bronze 12 years ago.

Cojuangco’s silver was the Philippines’ fourth in Aichi-Nagoya and its 19th medal overall, adding another milestone to the country’s campaign in Japan.

For a veteran who has spent years competing on the international compound circuit, the Asiad silver represents more than a podium finish.

It is the highest point yet reached by a Filipino archer at the Asian Games.