SEA Games: Comaling gives PH another gold in modern pentathlon

Philippines’ Michael Comaling wins another gold for Philippines in modern pentathlon. INQUIRER PHOTO/JUNE NAVARRO

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Michael Comaling was quick on the draw and quickly charged ahead in the swim to pocket the gold medal of the men’s beach triathle in modern pentathlon at the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Comaling, one of the prized discoveries under the pentathlon stable of Ormoc City mayor Richard Gomez, clocked 17 minutes and 8.87 seconds to defeat Phurit Yohuang of Thailand (17:19.83).

Indonesia’s Muhammad Taufik, who topped the men’s beach laser run on Thursday, wound up third (17:37.76) in the four-target laser pistol shooting/50-meter swim and 800m run race of focus and endurance.

“I have fast hands and was relaxed in the swim,’’ said Comaling after duplicating the golden effort of Samuel German and Princess Arbilon in the mixed beach laser run relay on Thursday.

Comaling’s triumph made up for the fourth-place finish of Arbilon in the women’s beach triathle.

Dea Putri captured the gold in 19:52.73 while Cintya Nariska made it 1-2 for Indonesia in 20:02.02. Thailand’s Sanruthai Aransiri placed third (20:50.97).