Downhill rider John Derick Farr proud to be PH’s 1st medalist in 2025 SEA Games

CHONBURI, Thailand – Downhill rider John Derick Farr remained a picture of consistency as he delivered the Philippines’ first medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

Farr extended his medal streak after clinching bronze in the mountain bike men’s downhill event at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo here on Wednesday, December 10.

It was the third straight SEA Games medal for the 29-year-old pride of Las Piñas, who struck gold at home soil in 2019 and bagged bronze in the 2021 edition in Vietnam.

Downhill events were not held in 2023 in Cambodia.

“I’m really happy with my performance every SEA Games. I’m really happy because I contributed to the Philippines’ medal tally. I’m proud of myself and the team,” said Farr.

Farr crossed the finish line with a time of 2 minutes and 43.676 seconds as he beat out teammate Simon Peter Servillon for the last podium spot.

Debuting in the SEA Games, the 20-year-old Servillon fell short of a medal by a mere two seconds, clocking 2:45.866.

Thailand’s Methasit Boomsane defended his throne with 2:37.856 as he edged Indonesia’s Rendy Varera Sanjaya (2:38.714) for the gold.

Farr said he is thrilled to be the first Filipino medalist in these Games as he hopes his victory sets the tone for the rest of the delegation.

True enough, taekwondo jin Justin Kobe Macario earned the Philippines’ gold medal just moments after by topping the men’s freestyle poomsae individual over in Bangkok.

“It makes me proud to be the first to win a medal for the Philippines, and hopefully, there would be more and I know there will be. This is just the start so good luck to all the Filipino athletes,” said Farr.

The Philippines’ two bets in women’s downhill, Lea Denise Belgira and Naomi Gardoce, were not as lucky.

Belgira, the 2019 champion, was over 15 seconds off the podium as she placed fourth with 3:22.478 behind gold medalist Vipavee Deekaballes (3:03.289) of Thailand and runners-up Riska Amelia Agustina (3:04.874) of Indonesia and Kanokrat Ritthidet (3:06.778) of Thailand.

Meanwhile, Gardoce registered a DNF (did not finish) following a crash. – Rappler.com