SEA Games 2023: Philippine women’s team strikes gold in recognized poomsae

Philippine women’s recognized poomsae team. –JUNE NAVARRO

PHNOM PENH—Jocelyn Ninobla has become an iconic figure in women’s poomsae after collecting three gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games all on her own.

The 26-year-old shared her blessings this time by bringing along Aidaine Laxa and Nicole Labayne to victory in the recognized poomsae contest at the 32nd SEA Games.

“I was highly motivated to win because I want them (Laxa and Labayne) to experience how it feels to win a gold medal,’’ said Ninobla, the women’s individual poomsae champion since 2017 in Malaysia.

The trio, which got together and began training online at the height of the pandemic, performed impeccably before a sizable Filipino crowd here at the Chroy Changvar Convention Hall.

Nicole Labayne, Jocelyn Ninobla and Aidaine Laxa gold medal in women's team recognized poomsae #SEAGames2023 | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/uFcba7uAkQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 12, 2023

Cheering Laxa, Labayne and Ninobla on the stands were Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri, senators Bong Go and Francis Tolentino along with Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay City mayor Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.

“When you see our kababayans cheer for you, you easily get inspired to do your best. We’re thankful for the support,’’ said Laxa, a third-year political science major from University of Santo Tomas.

The judges rewarded them with 7.720 points after a laser-focused routine almost without flaw to clinch the gold over Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and host Cambodia.

It was the first gold medal in these Games for Laxa and Labayne, a Grade 11 also from UST.

Ninobla, who graduated from UST with a degree in sports science, can make it a double-gold effort in the mixed recognized poomsae.

“I hope to do well and I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” said Ninobla