World boxing champions Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial led the country to its best-ever overall medal standings on Day 9 of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).
The host nation of the biennial meet went into the Tuesday events with a gold medal tally of 113 that matched its best showing in the 2005 SEA Games. Team Philippines hauled in gold after gold to end the Day 9 with its best-ever SEA Games showing with 137 gold, 102 silver, and 106 bronze medals for a total tally of 345 on December 9. Thailand was a far second with 84 gold and Vietnam at 3rd with 79 gold.
Nesthy Petecio is the reigning AIBA World Featherweight Women’s Champion who captured the title in Russia last October.
Eurmir Marcial was the silver medalist in the men’s division at the same boxing championships.
In an interview after winning her world title ahead of the SEA Games, Nesthy Petecio revealed to Good News Pilipinas where she sources her strength in her fights to represent the Philippines:
“Sa lahat po ng mga atletang pilipino. Wag na wag niyo po bibitawan ang pangarap niyo. Maniwala po kayo sa sarili nyo. Sa Diyos sa mga coaches nyo. Para maabot nyo to. Normal lang matalo, madapa pero ang importante marunong tayo bumangon at lumaban ulit (To all athletes, don’t ever let go of your dreams. Believe in yourself, in God, your coaches so you can get to where I got. It’s normal to lose, fall down, but the important thing is that we pick ourselves up and fight again.)
Petecio and Marcial’s golds complete the quintet of the country’s gold medal hopes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz had earlier secured their gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games. Yulo and Obiena have already qualified for the Olympics while the other three are bidding for berths.
Here is the rundown of the golds won by Team Philippines on December 9:
BOXING
Nesthy Petecio took the gold in the Women’s Boxing Featherweight category while Josie Gabuco got hers in the Light Flyweight division in the gold medal matches of the boxing event held at the PICC Forum in Pasay City, Manila.
Eumir Marcial dominated his opponent to take the gold in the Men’s Boxing Middleweight division as Olympian Charly Suarez won in the Men’s Lightweight class.
Carlo Paalam clinched his gold in the Boxing Men’s Light Flyweight bout, Rogen Ladon won via unanimous decision in the Men’s Flyweight division, and James Palicte claimed the gold medal in the Men’s Light Welterweight class.
ARCHERY
The tandem of Paul Marton dela Cruz and Rachelle dela Cruz secured the gold for the Philippines in the Archery Mixed Compound Recurve event.
WINDSURFING
Windsurfing gave the country two golds with Geylord Coveta ruling the Windsurfing Men’s RS One event and Yancy Kaibigan in the Windsurfing Men’s RS X event.
SAILING
The national sailing team bagged another gold in the Keelboat Match Racing competition.
KICKBOXING
Filipino kickboxer Jerry Olsim took the gold medal in the 69-kg kick light finals.
WRESTLING
Jason Baucas grabbed the gold in the Wrestling Men’s Greco-roman 72kg competition.
TAEKWONDO
Kurt Barbosa ruled the Taekwondo Men’s – 54kg competition for the gold.
JIUJITSU
Two golds in Jiu-jitsu came from Carlo Peña in the Jiu-jitsu Men’s -56kg final event and Dean Roxas in the Men’s -85 finals.
KARATE
Jaime Lim won gold in the Karatedo Women’s -61kg Kumite finals match.
JAVELIN THROW
Melvin Calano took the gold medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw with a distance of 72.86m.
HURDLES
Clinton Kingsley Bautista conquered the Men’s 110m hurdles category.
BILLIARDS
2015 SEA Games gold medalist Dennis Orcollo dominated the men’s 10-ball singles.
eSPORTS
Sibol Pilipinas continued its domination of eSports as it claimed its second gold medal after defeating Thailand in the Dota 2 event.
CHECK OUT the Recaps of 2019 SEA Games DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3, DAY 4, DAY 5, DAY 6, DAY 7, DAY 8 here.
SEND cheers to Team Philippines in the comments below as they secure the overall top leader standing on the last days of the 2019 SEA Games!
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