Palace lauds Claire Adorna for winning PH’s first SEA Games gold

Lighting up the faces of the Philippines’ Claire Adorna and Kim Mangrobang are their smiles and their gold and silver medals, respectively, in the women’s triathlon on Saturday. RAFFY LERMA

Malacañang on Sunday praised triathlete Ma. Claire Adorna for winning the first gold medal for the country in women’s triathlon in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games despite suffering an ankle injury.

Her Filipino teammate, Kim Mangrobang, won the silver medal.

READ: Triathlete Claire Adorna wins first SEA Games 2015 gold for PH

“Binabati po natin ang triathlete na si Ma. Claire Adorna na nakuha ang unang gintong medalya ng Pilipinas sa women’s triathlon na ginanap kahapon. Sa kabila ng kanyang injury, nagtagumpay ang 21-anyos na si Binibining Adorna (We are congratulating Ma. Claire Adorna for winning the first gold medal of the country for women’s triathlon conducted yesterday. Despite her injury, 21-year-old Adorna prevailed),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

Adorna, who clocked in at 2:13:08, has a nagging torn right peroneal tendon in her left ankle she sustained during the Asian Games in Incheon last year.

Coloma also praised Filipino athletes who won medals in fencing, table tennis, Wushu, canoeing, Judo, shooting, and traditional boat race.

The Malacañang official expressed hopes that the country will surpass its 29 gold, 34 silver, and 37 bronze sweep during the 27^th SEA Games in Myanmar.

On Sunday, the Philippines won its second gold medal with Nikko Huelgas in men’s triathlon. Huelgas ruled the men’s triathlon in two hours, four minutes and 32 seconds.

As of 3:20 p.m on Sunday, the Philippines has won two gold, six silver and eight bronze medals in the 28th SEA Games in Singapore. CFC

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