By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

TRIATHLON got the Philippines’ medal quest in the 30th Southeast Asian Games to a solid start with Filipino triathletes topping both the men’s and women’s events at Subic Bay Bordwalk, Zambales.

John “Rambo” Chicano won the gold in the men’s division followed by compatriot Kim Remolino while on the women’s sides it was a 1-2 finish as well for the Filipinos with Kim Mangrobang taking the top hardware and Kim Kilgroe finishing second.

Also an early gold medal winner was wushu athlete Agatha Wong, who retained her SEA Games title in the taolu taijiquan event, as well as world champion gymnast Caloy Yulo.

Mr. Chicano picked up the pace in the bike-to-run transition on his way to clocking a SEA Games record of one hour, 53 minutes and 23 seconds and bagging the gold.

Teammate Remolino finished with a time of 1:55:03 while ending third was Indonesian Muhammad Ahlul Firman (1:57:10).

“I’m so happy with this win and I can’t believe it. It was tough because the Indonesian (Firman) really put up a tough challenge for us,” said Mr. Chicano, who finished second behind compatriot Nikko Huelgas, in the 2017 edition of the Games in Malaysia.

In the women’s side, defending champion Mangrobang delivered on her promise to repeat as gold winner.

Banking on a strong finish in the running leg of the event, Ms. Mangrobang secured her back-to-back SEA Games gold conquest with a time of two hours and two minutes.

Behind her was Ms. Kilgroe with a time of 2:05:02.

Finishing third was Indonesia’s Nethavani Octaria (2:16:33).

GOLD FOR WONG ANEW
Meanwhile, Ms. Wong ruled the women’s taolu taijiquan event in wushu competitions held on Sunday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The College of Saint Benilde product won the gold with a score of 9.670 points, ahead of Basma Lachkar of Brunei (9.550) and Minh Huyen Tran Thi of Vietnam (9.530). Ms. Wong credited their hard work in training in the lead-up as key to her winning performance.

“There was no holiday for us (in our training) so we are very fatigued right now. My body is aching. I was relieved after I finished my first event. I just did my best and I hope that’s enough for team Philippines,” said Ms. Wong.

Olympic-bound Yulo, for his part, dazzled the hometown fans by topping the men’s artistic gymnastics individual all-around.

OTHERS
Also having it golden yesterday for the Philippines was the women’s sepak takraw team in the hoop event at the Subic Gym.

Led by playing coach Deseree Autor, the Filipinas banked on a close 670-660 win over Indonesia before crossing their fingers for Myanmar to struggle on their way to clinching their first ever gold in SEA Games hoop event history.

Myanmar outscored Laos, 640-420, but fell 30 points shy from the hosts’ total score to settle for the bronze medal in the 30-minute sepak takraw hoop category.

Ms. Autor was joined by Josefina Maat, Sara Jean Kalalo, Jean Marie Sucalit, Mary Ann Lopez and Abigail Sinugbohan in the country’s good pace-setting win.

It was seconded by its men’s counterpart which bagged gold in the hoop event as well.

The dancesports team, for its part, had five gold medals from Standard Tango, Standard Five Dance, and Standard Viennese Waltz (Sean Aranar and Ana Nualla) and another gold for Standard Waltz and Standard Slow Foxtrot (Mark Gayon and Mary Renigen).

As of this writing, two gold medals were also won in arnis care of Niño Mark Talledo (live stick featherweight — men’s division) and Dexter Bolambao (men’s live stick bantamweight).

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