Last week, the top regional
multi-sporting event in Southeast Asia began in earnest here in the
Philippines, host country for this year. The 2019 SEA Games was promoted to be
the biggest of its edition yet, with the sheer number of different sports
included for competition, which is around double the events of the year before.
In fact, some of these events were played out during the weekdays before the
official opening ceremony on Saturday. Once that was done with however, the
host nation finds itself the recipient of good news, in the form of leading the
total medal count.
CNN Philippines reports that as of the first day post-opening of
the 30th Southeast Asian Games, being played out in New Clark City
and surrounding environs, the Philippines is now proudly leading the other 10
participating SEA nations in the combined medal count, as well as the gold and
silver counts. According to the official results info system, the host country
now has 27 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 9 bronze medals, for a grand total
of 52. This is in comparison to the second-placed nation of Vietnam, which
earned 10 gold, 15 silver, and 12 bronze (37 total). It ties with third placer
Thailand in the most bronzes.
While the current medal count for
the Philippines is astounding enough on its own, some of the source events for
these awards were big surprises as well. Inquirer.net
has it that 10 of the host country’s gold medals were won during the dance sport
events on Sunday, December 1. The Arnis event also garnered 5 gold. In men’s
gymnastics, future Tokyo Olympian Carlos Yulo has also gotten his gold, along
with two from downhill mountain-biking (men and women), 2 from sepak takraw
(men and women), and more events that day.
Those who were either at the
Philippine Arena during the Opening Ceremony on the evening of November 30, or
watching it at home, would likely attribute the strong medal haul of the
Philippines to their massive contingent, which seemed to take up the same
amount of time marching on the arena stage as it was for the other national
delegations put together. Needless to say, the government is extremely pleased
at the medal-winning athletes’ performances thus far, with Presidential
spokesperson Salvador Panelo praising the medalists for their efforts, while
wishing those yet to compete, or to reach the medal stage, all the best of luck
according to The Manila Bulletin.
The 2019 SEA Games will run for
roughly two weeks, ending next week, December 11.
0 comments:
Post a Comment