Francine Padios takes home Team PH's first gold from 31st SEA Games
Pencak Silat athlete Francine Padios bagged the Philippines' first gold medal at the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam on May 11.
The Filipina representative edged out Indonesia's Pupsa Arum Sari in the Pencak Silat Women's Seni (artistic) Tunggal single event with a score of 9,960 to 9,945.
Malacañang and the Philippine Sports Commission extended their congratulations to Padios following her win.
"The Palace congratulates Mary Francine Padios for bringing pride and glory to the country by winning the first gold medal for the Philippines," said acting presidential spokesperson Sec. Martin Andanar.
"We are proud of you. Good luck to the rest of our athletes in Team Philippines. Mabuhay ang atletang Pinoy sa Hanoi," he added.
𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋 🇵🇭🥇
— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) May 11, 2022
Francine Padios gives Team Philippines its first gold medal at #SEAGames31 with a victory in Pencak Silat Women’s Seni (Artistic) Tunggal Single event.
Mabuhay ang #GalingngAtletangPinoySaHanoi! #IAmSportsPositive#parasainangbayan pic.twitter.com/flj6xxk1kY
The 18-year-old Kalibo, Aklan native exceeded her performance during the 2019 SEA Games where she bagged silver.
In other events, Helen Aclopen won a silver medal for Kurash women's 48kg, while George Baclagan and Renzo Miguel Cazeñas both clinched bronze for Kurash Men's 80kg and 81kg, respectively.
Cris Nievarez and CJ Jasmine delivered a silver medal finish in Rowing Lightweight Men's Double Sculls and the Men's Beach Handball bagged a silver medal win.
The Women's Rowing Team as well as athletes in the Pencak Silat Men's Seni Regu category finished with a bronze medal.
After a six-month delay, the 31st SEA Games is finally underway in Hanoi, Vietnam.