Claudine Veloso can now proudly call herself a Southeast Asian Games champion after outworking Vietnam’s Bui Hai Linh in the final of the women’s K1 under-52 kg category at the 32nd edition’s kickboxing competitions on Tuesday.
The event took place at the Elephant Hall 1 of the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Veloso, a product of Team Lakay, impressed all the judges throughout the three-round contest, scoring almost at will against Bui’s defense.
This victory secured the country’s third kickboxing gold and 58th overall gold medal in these Games.
Similar to Gretel De Paz, who recently won the women’s low kick under-56 kg category, this title serves as a redemption for Veloso.
In last year’s Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, Veloso had to settle for silver after losing in the final of the women’s low kick event in the same weight class to Amanda La Loupatty of Indonesia.
In the semifinals, Veloso defeated Thailand’s Piamsuk Permkhunthod in a dominant 3-0 victory, setting up a chance for retribution.
This gold medal also ensured that the Philippine kickboxing team surpassed its golden haul from Hanoi.
In Vietnam, the team won two golds, four silvers, and two bronzes.
