First-time Filipino gold medallists at the 2023 SEA Games

From swimming to jiu jitsu, these sports witnessed new Filipino faces winning the gold for the first time

Several talented and skilled Filipino athletes brought home the bacon after an arduous 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The event, also known as the Cambodia 2023, is being held around Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kep, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. It started last May 5 and will finish on May 17, 2023.

The Philippines has 143 medals as of writing, with 27 gold, 52 silver, and 64 bronze.

In case you missed it: How Formula drivers train for races: Lewis Hamilton, Bianca Bustamante, Carlos Sainz

Among the gold medalists are first-time winners of individual games. Here’s what you need to know about the winners who claimed the gold medals at the SEA Games for the first time.

Precious Cabuya

Precious Cabuya is no stranger to gold medals but just won her first at SEA Games this year for women’s obstacle course racing.

In one of her Instagram posts, she shares: “I am very thankful to be able to showcase to the world the skills, talent and capabilities God gave me. To God Be All The Glory!”

Kaila Napolis

Jiu-jitsu athlete Kaila Napolis struck gold in the women’s ne-waza gi-52 kilogram event against Jessa Khan. Last 2019, the two were in the same state, with Khan emerging victorious. This time around, Napolis came out on top, with a 2-0 win in the final.

“My faith as small as a mustard seed got me through here. I’m so happy I was able to conquer my fear of competing against one of the best in the world,” she proudly says in an Instagram post.

Angel Gwen Derla

19-year-old Angel Gwen Derla brought home the bacon in the kun bokator women’s bamboo shield form with a score of 8.5 points.

The gold medallist bested the hometown bet Chanchorvy Puth with 8.47 points and Indonesia’s Deslya Anggraini, who placed third with 8.42 points.

Mark Julius Rodelas

A bronze medallist in the 2019 SEA Games, Mark Julius Rodelas received the gold this time, besting former champion Kevin Pascua in men’s obstacle course racing.

He was previously an English teacher at the Manuel A. Roxas High School in Paco, Manila. This sacrifice, paired with his commitment and dedication, led him to the SEA Games gold he has today.

Sakura Alforte

Filipina-Japanese Sakura Alforte wins her first SEA Games gold in her debut performance.

She defeated the 2021 SEA Games champion Nguyen Thi Phuong in karate, women’s individual kata.

Marc Lim

Above Marc Lim (Photo by Philippine Sports Commission)

Davao-born Marc Lim clinched a gold medal for jiu-jitsu, men’s ne-waza nogi-69 kilograms. He finally reached the top after two failed attempts in the past, achieving silver and bronze in the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games, respectively.

More from Tatler: 7 extreme sports to try out this summer

Robin Catalan

Above Robin Catalan (Photo by One Championship)

According to the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippines claimed its first #SEAGames2023 gold medal this year in Kun Bokator courtesy of Robin “The Illonggo” Catalan in the men’s combat 50 kilograms. He beat Indonesian Ade Permana for the position.

Xiandi Chua

With a record of 2:13.20, Xiandi Chua shattered the SEA Games record of 2:13.64 set by Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien in the 2017 edition of the games, simultaneously dethroning teammate Chloe Isleta in the women’s 200m backstroke event.

In an interview, Chua expressed that she was merely aiming for the gold. The record was just a bonus.

John Ivan Cruz

John Ivan Cruz clinched gold for men’s floor exercise and gymnastics at the SEA Games, scoring 13.850 on the floor. The athlete was emotional as he won the gold, claiming that his win will help his family tremendously. “We have nothing and this is our way out of poverty,” says Cruz.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Tikumporn Surintornta got silver with 13.800 points, and Indonesia’s Joseph Hatoguan got bronze with 13.500.

Juancho Miguel Besana

Juancho Miguel Besana grabbed the gold in artistic gymnastics for the men’s vault at the SEA Games. The gymnast scored 14.425 after two attempts.

Besana joined John Ivan Cruz, the men’s floor exercise winner, atop the podium.

Janry Ubas

It took a while before Janry Ubas got the gold, winning silver and bronze in his previous tournaments in SEA Games. But finally, after an eight-year wait, the athlete nailed his first-ever gold medal as he ruled the men’s long jump with 7.85 meters as the winning score.

Ubas has been competing in the SEA Games since 2015.

Teia Salvino

Filipino-American Teia Salvino gets the gold after resetting the tournament and the national records in the women’s 100-meter backstroke. She won with the time 1:01.64.

“Breaking the record wasn’t my goal, I just swam as fast as I could and got rewarded,” Salvino shares in an interview.

Joseph Arcilla

Joseph Arcilla made history in the SEA Games as the first in the Philippines’ male team for soft tennis to win the gold medal. His gold is the team’s third in the SEA Games, with the first two won in the past by two female athletes, Noelle Mañalac and Princess Catindig.

READ NOW

Alex Eala debuts at Australian Open qualifiers

Asia’s Most Influential Paralympic Athletes Can Teach a Thing or Two About Sportsmanship

Bigger and Better: Tudor is Back with its Cycling Dream Team

Tatler Asia

Know more about the first-time Filipino gold medallists at the 2023 SEA Games