PHNOM PENH—Two more new world records were established by Filipino athletes in the men’s and women’s relay squads on Sunday at the close of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Obstacle Course Sports Competitions here.
As the last runner, Ahgie Radam’s quick traverse through the Cliffhanger, or the rotating monkey bars allowed him to lift the Philippines to a men’s gold medal.
The performance of Radam and his teammates Elias Tabac, Jose Marie de Castro and Mervin Guarte saw the Filipinos finishing the challenge in 24.4788 seconds.
Malaysia settled for the silver medal in 25.1596, after winning over Indonesia, which clocked in at 34.1152 seconds.
It was the second straight time that the Filipinos set a record in the event after they registered a time of 25.8566 seconds in Round 1 of the heats.
In the women’s side, the Filipinas banked on Mecca Cortizano’s big dash up the quarter pipe to clock a record-setting 33.7328 seconds, outrunning Indonesia, which finished second in 35.0601 seconds.
“Naabutan ko po sa huli. Sa pag-bell na lang. Binilisan ko po ang pagtakbo pataas,” said Cortizano, a 21-year-old student of University of the East.
The Filipinas, also made up of Sandi Abahan, Tess Nocyao, and Milky Tejares, earlier established a record in in round 2 of the heats, when they finished in 40.178 seconds, besting Malaysia (48.2455 seconds).
So far, a total of four records have been shattered during the course of the event, with Princess Cabuya setting a new world record for the second time in three days on Saturday.
Cabuya, a full-time athlete, did this after she conquered the 100-meter women’s individual action in 32.732 seconds, almost three seconds in front of silver medallist and teammate Kaiza de la Serna.
During the heats, the 32-year-old Cabuya reached the finals after topping the second heat in with a world record-smashing 33.127 seconds.
Mark Julius Rodelas, a gold medallist in the men’s 100 meter individuals, also forged a world record time of 25.092 seconds which he set in the heats.
Overall, the Philippjnes brought home a total of 12 medals, which is 10 golds and two silver medals, in obstacle course racing, according the Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation chief Al Agra.
