Kaila Napolis delivered the first gold medal for the Philippines at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Thursday.
Napolis achieved this by winning the women’s ne-waza GI 52 kgs event against a former tormentor.
The 25-year-old grappler swept all her four assignments, including the final match against hometown bet Jessa Khan, 2-0, before a huge, shocked crowd.
This victory was a revenge of sorts for Napolis, who had lost the gold medal to the same foe in the 49 kgs category at the 2019 edition in Manila.
Napolis opened up her campaign with a 50-0 win over Singapore’s May Yong The, then went on to thump Thailand’s Nuchanat Singchalad, 3-0; and Vietnam’s Thi Huyen Dang, 50-0.
“It was surreal. I still couldn’t believe I won,” Napolis said.
“One big congratulations for one of our female athletes breaking the ice for Team Philippines in these SEA Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who advocated for a female-dominated contingent in the parade of athletes during the Games’ opening ceremony on Friday.
Richard Bachmann had the wonderful privilege of awarding the country its first gold medalist in his first official major international function as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission.
“I had the privilege of being in the medal ceremony for our first gold medal winner, Kaila. Congratulations once again,” Bachmann said.
Dianne Ruado Bargo and Isabela Dominique Montaña also brought home bronze medals in the women’s competition, scoring 40.00 behind eventual gold medalists Kunsatri Kumsroi and Suphawadee Kaeosrasaen (48.000) of Thailand and Cambodia’s Heng Seavheang and Tin Sovanlina (42.5000) of Cambodia.
On the other hand, the men’s duo of Karl and Harvey Navarro lost their matches to Thailand’s Nawin Kokaew and Panuawat Deeyatam, 68-63.5; Cambodia’s Kongmona Mithora and Touch Pikada, 66-59; and Vietnam’s Dinh Khai Ma and Ke Duong Trinh, 64-59.
However, the Navarro brothers went home with the bronze medal, along with the Vietnamese.
“I also want to congratulate Harvey and Karl for bringing in the first medal of Team Philippines. It is such a thrill to start counting medals and see how the hard work of our athletes are translating into these victories. Job well done!” added Bachmann.
