Mark Julius Rodelas (right) and Kevin Pascua raise the flag after winning the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the men’s obstacle race at the SEA Games 2023. –JUNE NAVARRO
PHNOM PENH—Mark Julius Rodelas, a nephew of track and field icon Elma Muros-Posadas, topped the men’s 100m in obstacle racing on Saturday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here.
Rodelas clocked 25.19 seconds in beating compatriot Kevin Pascua (26.81) for the country’s fourth gold in the 11-nation meet.
“I’m very happy, because the Philippines kept all the world records,” said Rodelas, who was a bronze medalist in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila.
“There was no pressure between us [in the final] because whatever happens, the Philippines will get the gold.”
Precious Cabuya (left) won the gold in the women’s 100m obstacle racing while Kaizen Dela Serna got the silver in a 1-2 PH finish at the 32nd SEA Games. –JUNE NAVARRO/INQUIRER
Precious Cabuya claimed the third gold medal for Team Philippines earlier after at winning the women’s individual plum.
The 32-year-old Cabuya completed the 100m course in 32.72 seconds, beating Kaizen dela Serna (35.52) in an all-Filipino final.
“We just motivated each other and ran our best,” said Cabuya after capturing her first gold in the biennial meet as a rookie.
“It’s hard for us [to battle each other for the gold] because we’re teammates. We were both nervous. But at least we were both able to give a medal to the country,” she added.
The Philippines hiked its medal collection to 4 golds, 4 silvers and 3 bronzes and could add two more victories in the sport in the men’s and women’s relays on Sunday.
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