The Philippines made history in the pool on Day 1 of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, as Heather White, Chloe Isleta, Xiandi Chua, and Paris 2024 Olympian Kayla Sanchez powered the country to its first-ever gold in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the Sports Authority of Thailand Aquatics Center in Bangkok.
Touching the wall in 3:44.26, the Filipina quartet stunned regional powerhouse Singapore, finishing two full seconds ahead of their rivals’ 3:46.53.
Vietnam claimed bronze, while host Thailand was pushed off the podium.
White set the early pace, Isleta kept the fight alive, Chua regained the lead, and Sanchez sealed the historic victory with a strong anchor leg, giving the Philippines a perfect start to the Games.
Chua was the only holdover from the 4×100 team that finished second in Cambodia two years ago.
(C) POC Media Group
Adding to the country’s medal haul, 19-year-old debutant Gian Santos captured silver in the men’s 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:03.88.
The Columbia University student-athlete split two Vietnamese swimmers — Tran Nguyen Hung, who took gold in 2:02.11; and Nguyen Quang Thuan, who earned bronze in 2:04.19 — showcasing the Philippines’ rising talent in men’s swimming.
