In the toughest division in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games’ wrestling event, a Filipino was the last man standing.
Ronil Tubog finally claimed SEA Games gold on Tuesday after ruling the men’s freestyle -61kg event held at Chroy Changvar Convention Center.
Tubog, 30, won it all after settling for silver in the past two SEA Games.
His last in the region came during the 2015 Southeast Asian Championships.
In a field that also had Indonesia’s Zainal Abidin, Thailand’s Siripong Jumpakam, Cambodia’s Soeun Sophors, Laos’ Bounthien Kommalaxa, and Singapore’s Eddy Khidzer.
Defending champion Can Tat Du did not join the event.
Tubog went 2-0 in the group stage, beating Khidzer, 4-0 and Jumpakam, 3-1.
He then bested Sophors, 4-0, in the semis and Abidin, 3-1, in the final.
This is the Wrestling Association of the Philippines’ fourth gold with Jason Balabal, Tina Vergara, and Alvin Lobreguito also ruling their respective events.
This is the Philippines’ 55th gold of the games.
