Filipino gymnast Capellan wins PH’s 10th gold

SINGAPORE —Reyland Capellan snared the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games men’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise Tuesday in a victory seen to fuel the interest of the sport back in the Philippines

The 21-year-old Capellan, a product of the Philippine National Games and is favorite in his event, dazzled the judges with his routine to earn 14.733 points. He bested Singapore’s Hoe Wan Toon (14.566) and Vietnam’s Pham Phuoc Hung (14.500).

Ava Lorein Verdeflor, 16, wound up second in the women’s uneven bars later in the afternoon. She lost to Malaysia’s Yueh Tan Ing who scored 12.766, while the Tarlac-born, Texas-raised Verdeflor garnered 12.366. Malaysia’s Farah Abdul Hadi was third (12.200).

Verdeflor has earlier won bronzes in individual all-around and team event.

“This is a good start for Philippine gymnastics because it’s a sport we can excel,” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

“He (Capellan) is a homegrown talent. He’s very good. They have been undergoing rigid training under Japanese coach. Before he was lacking the kick but right now he’s perfect,” said Carrion of her ward.

Capellan will compete in men’s vault, while Verdeflor will see action in women’s floor exercise finals Wednesday. Mark Giongco/CFC

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