John Ivan Cruz ensured he would not leave empty-handed, clinching the gold in the men’s vault final at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games artistic gymnastics competitions held at Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday.
This marks Cruz’s second gold medal in the biennial meet, following his floor exercise title two years ago in Cambodia.
The seasoned gymnast finished with an average score of 13.833, keeping the vault championship in the Philippines’ hands after Carlos Yulo’s back-to-back titles and Juancho Miguel Besana’s triumph in Cambodia.
“Unang-una, masaya po and then nagpapasalamat po kay God na no injuries po sa ‘ming lahat na naglaro,” Cruz shared.
“Yung target ko po sana is ‘yung ma-defend ‘yung sa floor pero ito po ‘yung binigay sa ‘kin ni God. Hindi ko po siya sinayang, nagpahinga po kami nang maayos para dito.”
Cruz began his day following Malaysia’s Muhamad Shairul Aimy, who had taken the early lead with a 13.833. Cruz opened with a massive first vault, with only a minimal step out on the landing.
Although this initial attempt initially received a lower score, a successful inquiry raised it to 14.167.
“Malalaman naman po namin ‘yun dahil sa tinira mong skills. Mas mataas naman po ‘yung sa ‘kin nung first vault and kaunti lang naman po ‘yung deductions. Nasayangan din po ako, kaya pina-inquire po nila ‘yon, and then nabago naman po,” the now two-time SEA Games champion explained.
Cruz faced difficulties on his second vault, stepping forward on the landing, but still scored 13.499 — finishing with a score identical to the leader.
Ultimately, both Cruz and Aimy shared the gold medals, while Thailand’s Tikumporn Surintornta claimed bronze with 13.717, adding to his floor exercise title.
Meanwhile, Aleah Finnegan concluded her SEA Games campaign with a bronze in the balance beam, adding to her vault gold won last Friday.
The Philippines’ artistic gymnastics team finished the meet with two golds, one silver, and three bronzes.
