ASEAN NEWS HEADLINES: We are the champions

Capas, Tarlac—As the national athletics team ended their campaign with a gold medal from decathlete Aries Toledo, the Philippines added to the highest medal count in 14 years at the close of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

As the fire that blazed atop the cauldron for almost two weeks was doused, Toledo managed to retain the crown he won in 2017.This gave the Philippines a total of 149 golds, 118 silvers and 120 bronzes when the overall tally was finally completed Wednesday.

The count was 36 golds higher than what the Philippines got in 2005 when the country last hosted the event. Back then, the Philippines had a 149-118-120, gold-silver-bronze haul.Vietnam, which got its final gold from Tan Trieu Tran in his title conquest in the 10km open swimming meet, finished with a 98-85-105 showing.

Thailand, drawing its last gold from its men’s 4×100-meter relay team in athletics, finished with a 92-103-123 performance for third.As volunteers and athletes from participating countries marched around the New Clark City athletics stadium for one last time at last night’s closing ceremonies, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino praised the hard work and dedication of Filipino athletes in toiling for hard-earned medals during the 11-day meet. / posted by Peter Atencio