Samuel German finally captured his first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold, leading a 1–2 finish for the Philippines in the men’s obstacle-laser-run event of the modern pentathlon at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya City, Chonburi, Thailand.
German, who was just 18 when he won silver in the men’s beach laser-run six years ago — the last time the sport was contested in the biennial Games — made sure to claim the top prize this time.
Now a 24-year-old veteran, he narrowly edged out this edition’s men’s laser-run champion and compatriot, Melvin Sacay, scoring 1,025 points to secure the long-awaited gold.
Sacay took home his second medal of the Games with 1,024 points, well ahead of Indonesia’s M. Ifsan, who finished with 973 points.
On the women’s side, Juliana Sevilla added a bronze in the same event, earning 805 points.
The Filipino modern pentathletes closed the Games with a haul of three golds — including Michael Ver Comaling’s win in the men’s triathle — three silvers, and one bronze.
