Obstacle racers sparkle with PH 22 golds ,2 silvers for golds ,2 silvers for PH

PHNOM PENH— Princess Cabuya set a new world record for the second time in three days after she and Mark Julius Rodelas claimed two gold medals for the Philippines on Saturday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Obstacle Sports Competitions here.

Cabuya, a full-time athlete, did the feat after she conquered the 100-meter women’s individual action in 32.732 seconds, almost three seconds in ahead of silver medallist Kaiza de la Cerna.

Three days ago, the 32-year old Cabuya reached the finals after topping the second heat with a world record-smashing 33.127 seconds.

This time, Cabuya said she overcame her stage fright in her clash with De la Cerna, who settled for the silver medal in 35.522 seconds.

She picked up speed after Cabuya completed the second challenge, which is the monkey bars, with just two quick grabs of the grips, and after having a much quicker pace at the 6-meter rings.

“Na perfect ko sila,” added Cabuya on her first SEA Games crown, and after receiving her medals from Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann.

Indonesian foe Anggun Haddi settled for third in 39.598 seconds.

Rodelas exuded a more laid back stance as he took the other gold medal at stake for the Philippines in the 100-meter men’s individual event.

The 35-year-old Rodelas took the lead after scrambling past the Tarzan Swing, the ninth of 10 obstacles he traversed to finish ahead of Kevin Pascua in the all-Filipino finals in 25.194 seconds.

Rodelas’ clocking was 1/100ths of a second off the world record time of 25.092 seconds which he set in the heats.

Pascua, who took the gold medal back in 2019, ambled up the final quarter pipe challenge behind Rodelas by more than a second behind in 26.814 seconds.

“Relax lang kami kasi dahil Pilipino pa rin ang kukuha ng ginto dito,” said Rodelas, who gave up his teaching job at Quirino High School in Pandacan, Manila to pursue his dreams as an athlete.

Yoong Wei Theng settled for the bronze medal in 28.334 seconds.

Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation president Al Agra confirmed the record-breaking feats of Cabuya and Rodelas.

Mark Julius Rodelas in Action (Left) against Kevin Jeffrey Pascua.

From Left: Kaizen Dela Cerna(Siver)Precious Cabuya(Gold)Mark Julius Rodelas(Gold) and Kevin Jeffrey Pascua(Silver)on the Men and Women Individual Obstacle Race joined by POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Atty.Al Agra-POSF President.