PHNOM PENH. – Wrestlers Alvin Lobreguito and Ronil Tubog gave Team Philippines gold medals Tuesday in the last day of competition in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here.
Familiarity and focus turned out to be Lobreguito’s main weapon as he delivered the country’s 52nd gold medal, crushing his Thai opponent, Nattawut Kaewkhuanchum, via a 6-2 win in the men’s freestyle 57 kg event at the Chroy Changvar Hall.
“I knew I can beat him (Nattawut). Although he improved a little, he is still predictable,” Lobreguito, 31, said. “This is the sweetest of all my SEA Games because this is my first gold medal in four tries.”
The Bagong Silang, Quezon City native overpowered his Vietnam foe Khac Huy Phung 3-1 win in the semifinals before meeting his old Thai nemesis in the championship round.
“I was really motivated to win. I won silver in 2022 Vietnam and in the 2019 Philippines SEA Games, and a bronze in 2013, so when I got the opportunity, I did my very best not to waste it,” Lobreguito added.
Tubog followed up Lobreguito’s gold medal triumph by beating Indonesian Zainal Abidin 2-1 in the men’s freestyle 61kg, providing the fourth gold medal for the wrestling team.
He showed his strength in the early matches by defeating Soeun Sophors of Cambodia 4-0 in the semifinals after winning over Eddy Bin Khidzer of Singapore 4-0 and Thailand’s Siripong Jimpakam 3-1.
Wrestling Association of the Philippines president Alvin Aguilar heaped praised on the wrestlers for not giving up and sacrificing, saying he’s hoping for more improvement in coming overseas competitions.
“So thankful to every wrestler who competed in the SEA Games,” Aguilar said. “They didn’t give up and fought like true Filipino warriors. It’s a great redemption for the Philippine wrestling team and we’re proud of them.”
Filipino wrestlers failed to win gold medals in Vietnam last year, returning home with seven silvers and five bronzes.
