Fil-Am sprinter Richardson bags SEA Games gold
Filipina-American Kayla Richardson emerged as the fastest lady in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after ruling the women’s 100-meter dash at Hanoi, Vietnam.
The 26-year-old Richardson, who won the same gold in 2015, picked up the pace halfway through the race and held steady to the finish, clocking 11.6 seconds.
Finishing behind Richardson were 200-m queen Shanti Pereira of Singapore, who clocked 11.62 seconds to bag the silver and Thailand’s Supanich Poolkerd, who placed third in 11.66 seconds.
“I can’t complain. I’m so grateful. It took me a lot to get here. I thank God for getting me here,” said a teary-eyed Richardson, who also won a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash earlier this week.
In other athletics medals, Christine Hallasgo captured silver in women’s marathon; Negrense Bernalyn Bejoy, Eloisa Luzon, Maureen Schrivers, and Robyn Brown bagged a bronze in the Women’s 4x400m Relay; while Evalyn Palabrica also won bronze in javelin throw.
Bowlers Merwin Tan, Ivan Malig, Patrick Nuqui, and Patrick Dychangco captured a gold medal in the men’s bowling-team of four final yesterday afternoon.
Sibol Wild Rift Women’s Team of Christine Natividad, Rose Ann Robles, Charize Doble, Giana Llanes, April Sotto, and Angel Lozada captured a gold medal in esports.
Pinoy taekwondo fighters, meanwhile, got shut out for the gold as Dave Cea, Baby Jessica Canabal and Kirstie Alora bowed to the finals opponents to end up with silver medals.
Also with silver medals were table tennis tandem of Richard Gonzales and John Russel Misal, Minalyn Foy-os and Jiah Pingot in wrestling, and Jenelyn Olsym in vovinam.
Filipina swimmers Chloe Isleta, Aubrey Mangaoang, Jasmine Alkhaldi, and Miranda Renner settled for a silver medal finish in the women’s 4x100 medley relay.
Moreover, karate athletes John Enrico Vazquez, Jayson Macaalay and Rebecca Torres finished with bronze medals in their respective events./