KUALA LUMPUR -- Filipino gymnasts Kaitlin Cera Lianne De Guzman and Reyland Yuson Capellan; fencer Louie Wayne Brennan; wushu artist Agatha Chrystenzen Wong and track star Erick Cray on Tuesday ruled their respective events with passion to power the Philippines’ gold medal count to eight in the 29th Southeast Asian Games.
De Guzman showed mastery in the uneven bars competition (12.875) of the women's artistic gymnastics while Capellan demonstrated impeccable grace under pressure for the big win in floor exercise of the men's artistic gymnastic event held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibit Center (MITEC).
Brennan proved superior among his competitors as he bagged the gold in men’s foil individual by beating compatriot Nathaniel Perez who settled for the silver. Wong showed precision and style as she topped the women’s Taijijian (wushu).
Filipino-American Cray clocked 50.03 seconds and gave the Philippines its eighth gold after he won the athletics' 400m hurdles event.
Fencers Hannel Abella and Harlene Raquin also sparkled and captured the silver and bronze medal in the women’s epee individual.
“They really worked hard to get that gold. I hope the other sports will get their gold medals,” said Cynthia Carreon, head of the Philippine delegation who is also the president of the local gymnastics federation.
Other medalists on Tuesday are Jason Ramil Macaalay and Rexor Tacay who each captured a silver in the male kumite below 60 kg and male kumite below 67kg in karate. Fil-Am James Orencio settled for the bronze in kata, also a karate event.
In boxing, three boxers -- bantamweight Mario Fernandez, middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial and light heavyweight Marvin John Nobel Tupas, were assured of silver medals after they defeated their respective opponents in separate semifinal bouts.
Fernandez and Tupas scored similar 5-0 wins against their respective foes to gain a seat in the finals. Marcial also marched to the finals by beating Malaysia’s Indran Al Rama Krishnan via Referee Stopped Contest (RSC-1).
However, Olympian Charly Suarez and Ian Clark Bautista failed to make it into the finals when they bowed to their respective opponents in the welterweight and flyweight battles, respectively. (PNA)
