The Sanda event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games’ Wushu tilt turned out to be a treasure site for the Philippines, as it racked up a total of five gold medals, Tuesday at the World Trade Center.
Divine Wally won the Filipinos’ first gold after defeating Nguyen Thi Chinh of Vietnam in the women’s 48kg tiff.
“Very happy kami. Very lucky? Di mo rin masasabi na lucky kasi pinaghirapan namin, the whole year nagprepare kami for SEA Games,” said Wally, who won bronze in the 2018 Asian Games.
The men’s team then followed suit.
Jessie Aligaga won the 48kg category; Arnel Mandal reigned triumphant in 52kg; Francisco Solis in 56; and Clemente Tabugara Jr. in 65.
“Nasa utak at puso ko ‘di ako pwede matalo sa laban kasi dito ginanap. And confident akong mananalo ako ngayon, kasi ang tagal kong pinangarap na dito sa bayan mag-gold,” Tabugara Jr. said.
Gideon Padua was the lone Filipino who settled for silver as he lost to Bui Triong Guang of Vietnam in 60kg.
