Wushu star Agatha Wong extends her reign in taijiquan-taijijian for her sixth gold

CHONBURI — Worry not Team Philippines, Agatha Wong got your six.

The Pinay wushu star who’s been dominating the region since 2017 gave Team Philippines a smashing triumph in the late morning sessions — a welcome change after the long wait for gold until dusk the past three days — in the 33^rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

A five-time winner in the four previous SEA Games, Ms. Wong was in her element again, delivering a dazzling performance in the culminating sword part of the women’s taijiquan-taijijian event to extend her reign and put that glowing sixth mint in her bag.

With her combined 19.556 points built around a rock-solid 9.773-point performance in the taijiquan last Saturday and a strong 9.783 closeout in Sunday’s taijijian, Ms. Wong bested her challengers and ensured the playing of the “Lupang Hinirang” by noontime at the Rattha Prasasan Bhakdi Building in Bangkok.

It was a sweet victory for Ms. Wong, who’s now splitting her time between her athletic career and med school.

“This has been the hardest year for me,” said the comely six-time SEAG gold medalist, who delivered Team Philippines’ 16^th gold overall in the Thailand meet.

“I really just tried to do my best because it’s not everyday you get an opportunity to represent your country. So now that ended my year with a gold medal, I’m really happy.”

Though winning many times over, Ms. Wong admitted having doubts pre-competition.

“Every time I go to the SEA Games, I feel like I’m going to lose. When I flew to Bangkok I was really scared but I trained really hard and I gave it my all. Now I’m going home a champion so it’s very emotional for me,” she said.

Complementing Ms. Wong’s gold were shooter Michael Angelo Fernandez (men’s individual 10m Air Pistol) and jet ski bets Anton Nicolas Ignacio (Mixed Runabout 1100 Stock) and Anton Nicolas Ignacio (Mixed Runabout 1100 Stock) who earned a silver each.

As of 6 p.m. (Manila time), the Philippines toted a 16-23-55 collection for sixth overall.

Gilas Pilipinas Men launched its title-retention bid in Group A in the strongest terms possible, clobbering Malaysia, 83-58, at the Nimibutr Stadium.

Its women’s counterparts clinched a ticket to the semifinals after posting its second straight victory at the expense of Singapore, 92-59, to top Group B.

In Chonburi province, Tokyo Olympics weightlifting champ Hidilyn Diaz missed out on the podium, placing fourth in the women’s 58kg class with 200 kgs (90kg snatch and 110kg clean and jerk).

Olympians Chris Nievarez and Joanie Delgaco, meanwhile, put themselves in position for rowing’s medals after making strong runs during Sunday’s preliminaries at the Royal Thai Navy Rowing and Canoeing Training Center in Rayong.

Mr. Nievarez, a veteran of Tokyo, ranked second in the men’s single sculls heats at 8:27.130 behind Indonesia’s Memo (8:25.130) to advance to the finale.

Mr. Delgaco, who rowed in Paris, teamed up with Kristine Paraon in clocking third in the women’s double sculls heats behind counterparts from Vietnam (8:17.719) and Thailand (8:19.428) to advance.

Zuriel Sumintac, Reine Art Poblete, Romnel John Acosta, Edgar Ilas, Daryl Pangantao, and Kenneth James Lantong also moved on to the gold medal race in the lightweight men’s quadruple sculls after coming in fourth in the heats (7:34.716).

The finals will be held on Dec. 16.

“We have a good (medal) chance in two out of three,” coach Ed Maerina told The STAR.

Meanwhile, the Philippine U22 booters gun for a historic trip to the men’s football finals and a guaranteed silver medal today as they battle Vietnam in the semis at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

The gritty Filipinos are in the KO stages for the first time since the famous fourth-place finish of Norman Fegidero and Co. in 1991 at home and with a victory at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. Manila time), can register they best finish ever at the Games.

If they get past the Vietnamese, the charges of Garrath McPherson will battle either host Thailand or Malaysia for the gold. If not, they will still get a shot at a breakthrough medal in the battle for third on Thursday. — Olmin Leyba