Filipino kickboxers Gina Iniong and Jean Claude Saclag clinch the gold medals. Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas Photos
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine kickboxing team finally broke through in the 31st Southeast Asian Games with back-to-back gold medals thanks to Gina Iniong and Jean Claude Saclag.
Gina Iniong became the first Filipino kickboxer to win the gold in this year’s Games after clipping Waraporn Jaiteang Waraporn of Thailand, 2-1, in the women’s low kick -60kg final.
Shortly after Iniong’s triumph, Saclag followed with his own golden feat after edging Chaleamlap Santidongsakun of Thailand, 2-1, in the men’s low kick -63kg final.
Iniong and Saclag’s double victories bumped the Philippines’ gold medal count to five.
Four Filipino kickboxers, however, settled for silver medals in the Southeast Asian Games on Friday at Bac Ninh Gymnasium in Vietnam.
Claudine Veloso, Gretel de Paz, Zephanya Ngaya, and Renalyn Daquel fell short in their respective bids to win the gold medal.
Veloso lost to Amanda La of Indonesia, 3-0, in the women’s low kick -52kg event while de Paz also dropped a 3-0 decision to an Indonesian foe in Diandra Ariesta in the women’s full contact -56kg class.
Ngaya and Daquel, meanwhile, bowed to hometown bets in the final.
Ngaya suffered a 3-0 setback to Huynh Vang in the women’s full contact -65kg while Daquel was denied of a gold by Nga Nguyen in the women’s full contact -48kg.
Overall, the national kickboxing team collected two golds, four silvers and two bronzes.