SEA Games 2023: Philippines wins 4x400m men’s relay gold in photo finish

Philippines’ Clinton Kingsley Bautista, Joyme Albao Sequita, Michael Carlo Grafilo Del Prado and Umajesty Wesley Lachica Williams celebrate after their win in the men’s 4x400m relay in the Southeast Asian Games. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

PHNOM PENH—Clinton Bautista more than made up for a lost opportunity in the hurdles by anchoring the Philippine men’s team to the 4x400m relay gold medal on Friday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Failing to retain his 110m hurdles title, Bautista joined forces with Michael Del Prado and Joyme Sequita along with Umajesty Williams to clinch the fourth victory of Filipino tracksters at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.

Williams reached the line by a hairline ahead of Thailand’s Thawatchai Khongjeam as the quartet clocked three minutes and 7.22 seconds.

Members of the Philippines’ relay team celebrate after winning the men’s 4x400m final during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 12, 2023. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)

Thailand’s Apisit Chamsri, Jirateep Bundee, Ruamchok Semathong and Khongjeam timed 3:07.23 while Malaysia’s Muhammad Zemi, Ruslem Roseli, Tharshan Shanmugam and Umar Osman copped the bronze medal in 3:08.82.

The fourth gold medal for the national track and field squad came after Eric Cray retained his 400m hurdles crown for the sixth consecutive time on Thursday.

World-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena expectedly delivered the gold in his event in record-breaking fashion while Janry Ubas got his in the men’s long jump.

The country’s women’s 4x400m relay squad likewise made a run for the gold, but ended up with a lesser medal color after placing second behind Vietnam.

Kyla Richardson led the team to the silver in 3:37.750 along with Maureen Schrijvers and Robyn Brown.

Vietnam’s Thi Anh Hoang, Thi Hang Nguyen, Thi Minh Hoang and Thi Ngoc Nguyen ruled the race in 3:33.05 while Thailand’s Arisa Weruwanarak, Benny Nontanam, Sasipim Satachot and Sukanya Janchaona placed third in 3:39.29.

The Philippines also grabbed silver and bronze medals in women’s javelin throw with Gennah Malapit and Evalyn Pabrica’s 2-3 finish.