BANGKOK, Thailand — The 61-man national team wrapped up the athletics competitions of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on a triumphant note, achieving an impressive haul of five gold, seven silver and 19 bronze medals at the Suphachalasai National Stadium.

Their strong performance firmed up the team’s growing reputation in the regional sports arena.

Former world No. 2 EJ Obiena capped off the country’s remarkable campaign by clinching his fourth straight SEA Games gold medal in pole vault, albeit in a nail-biting fashion. He narrowly edged out local favorite Amsamarng Patsapong, winning with a new meet record of 5.70 meters. Both athletes cleared this height, surpassing the previous SEA Games record by five centimeters. Obiena secured the gold due to his successful clearance on the first attempt, while Patsapong needed three attempts.

“I’m happy, but that was a little bit too close for comfort,” Obiena said.

“I came here to win, and that’s exactly what I did. I love to see that the level is getting higher... and at the same time, I have a job to do.”

Obiena’s personal best of 6.00 meters, achieved during the 2023 World Athletics Championships, where he finished the season ranked world No. 2, underscores his status as one of the premier pole vaulters in the world. Currently ranked fifth in the World Athletics Rankings, he continues to be a driving force for the Philippine team.

Adding to the team’s success, Elijah Kevin Cole delivered a bronze medal with a jump of 5.20 meters, marking a double triumph for Team Philippines on the final day of competitions.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) secretary-general Jasper Tanhueco expressed pride in the ICTSI-backed athletes’ performances, noting that the team surpassed its previous record with a total of 31 medals.

“We win some, we lose some, but we definitely learn from it. We have many rising stars, and the future of Philippine athletics looks promising,” he said.

The Filipino athletes demonstrated remarkable talent and determination throughout the competition. Hurdler John Christopher Cabang, decathlete Hokett delos Santos, and middle-distance runners Hussein Loraña and Naomi Marjorie Cesar all contributed to the team’s success, showcasing the depth of skills within the squad.

Cabang’s impressive performance in the men’s 110m hurdles earned him the country’s first athletics gold of the event, setting a new competition record with a time of 13.66 seconds. He surpassed the previous record of 13.69 seconds set by Thailand’s Jamras Rittidet during the 2015 SEA Games.

“I’m super happy to raise the flag on the top of the podium for the Philippines,” Cabang said.

“This victory means a lot to me, especially after my bronze medal finish in Cambodia.”

Delos Santos, a rising star from University of Santo Tomas, also made headlines by amassing 6,917 points over ten events to claim the men’s decathlon title.

Nicknamed the “Rocket,” he edged Thailand’s Singkhon Suttisak, who took silver with 6,649 points, and Indonesia’s Richsan Idan Fauzan, who earned bronze with 6,582 points.

Three days later, Loraña and Cesar marked their territory in the 800-meter runs, adding to the Philippines’ medal tally and highlighting the team’s collective strength.

“Our president, Mr. Terry Capistrano, is dedicated to providing the resources necessary for our athletes to excel,” he added. This long-term commitment to nurturing talent has allowed Filipino athletes to reach new heights in international competitions.

As the Philippine track and field team looks toward future competitions, the foundation laid by athletes like Obiena, bolstered by steadfast support from ICTSI through funding for their training and overseas campaigns, promises a bright future for the next generation of Filipino athletes.

Overall, the Philippines finished fourth in the medal standings, trailing behind Thailand (13-13-4), Vietnam (12-12-11), and Indonesia (9-5-7). Malaysia rounded out the top five with a tally of 5-4-6.

The 5-7-19 medal tally marks an improvement from the country’s previous performances — 4-10-8 in the 2023 SEA Games and 5-7-14 in 2021. The Philippines had a standout showing in 2019, hosting the SEA Games with an impressive 11-8-8 medal tally.