Eduard Folayang, Mark Eddiva prevail in wushu

Eduard Folayang.

JAKARTA—Eduard Folayang and Mark Eddiva triumphed in contrasting styles in wushu’s final two sanshou matches as the sport finally contributed Monday to the Philippines’ meager medal haul at the 26th Southeast Asian Games at the Tennis Indoor Stadium inside Bung Karno complex here.

The 25-year-old Eddiva, a computer science undergraduate, scored a majority decision over Indonesia’s Youne Victorio Senduk in the men’s 65 kg final to end the victory drought after two of his countrymen fell by the wayside.

Foloyang then knocked out Laotian Udon Khanxay after connecting with a right turning sidekick that caught his rival in the mid-section early in the second round of the 70 kg final.

With its fighter down, the Laotian corner actually threw in the towel and the public address announcer called for the medic as Khanxay was having a difficult time to breathe.

“It’s always a nice feeling when you win and I thank the Lord for the strength that He has given me,” the 27-year-old Folayang, a former PE professor at the University of the Cordilleras, said in Filipino.

Eddiva was the superior grappler and striker and got the nod of all the judges.

It was the third straight Games gold. The SEA Games didn’t have his division in Thailand and in Laos, while Eddiva won his second straight.

Mariano Mariane and Benjie Rivera settled for the silver after losing to their Vietnamese foes.