Kayla Sanchez surged to her second individual gold and third overall at the ongoing 33rd Southeast Asian Games swimming competitions after winning the women’s 100-meter backstroke on Saturday at the Sports Authority of Thailand Aquatics Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
Her victory mirrored the golden finish of Teia Salvino at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, as Sanchez touched the wall in 1:02.35—just ahead of Thailand’s Mia Millar.
“I’m speechless. It’s been a long competition, and I still have four more events to go, so I’m just taking it day by day. I knew I had to go out fast and stay strong in the last 50 meters,” Sanchez said.
“It’s also my dad’s birthday today, so I wanted to win this medal for him—and I wanted to win this gold for the Philippines,” added the 24-year-old standout.
(C) POC Media
After the awarding ceremony, Sanchez took off her medal and placed it around her dad Noel’s neck, who was in the stands, as a special birthday tribute.
Sanchez, who set a new Games record in the 50-meter backstroke just the day before, surged into the lead with a split of 29.15 seconds, ahead of a chase pack of five swimmers.
Millar, the hometown favorite, broke away from the group in a late push but could not catch Sanchez at the finish, settling for second with a time of 1:02.52.
Indonesia’s Flairene Candrea claimed the bronze in 1:02.60, narrowly edging out compatriot Adelia Chantika Aulia.
(C) POC Media
This gold adds to Sanchez’s victories in the 100-meter freestyle on Friday and the historic 4×100-meter freestyle relay gold on Thursday with teammates Heather White, Xiandi Chua, and Chloe Isleta, which set the tone for the Philippine squad’s campaign.
The former University of British Columbia standout also holds two silvers from the 50-meter backstroke and 200-meter freestyle, fueling her drive for more podium finishes.
“I felt like I let myself down; I let my country down. All I can do as an athlete is focus on the next event. I’m so motivated to win more golds,” Sanchez said.
