World Cup champion Aligaga became the first Filipino to win a gold medal in this year’s SEA Games when he beat Indonesia’s Dasmantua Simbolon in the final match of the Men’s 48kg Sanda Event.
His triumph was then followed by another world cup champion Arcita who overpowered SEA Games defending champion Phithak Paokrathok of Thailand, 2-0, en route to winning the gold in the men’s 52kg sanda event.
“I really wanted to beat Phithak Paokrathok, the one who won the gold medal in 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia where I won the bronze. I said to myself that I won’t let go of the gold medal this time. The gold medal will be mine,” said Arcita.
Aligaga on the other hand, first thanked the Lord, for his guidance and strength after winning Philippines first gold medal.
In his Facebook page, he wrote “Thank you Lord for the guidance, strength, and your unending love. Without you I’m nothing. Thank you to our families, friends, teammates and the whole country who supported us through prayers.!! Thank you, thank you so much!”
“Yeah?? It’s true! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!! To God be the Glory!!! Mabuhay Pilipinas,” Aligaga added.
Philippine_Wushu_SEA_Games_2013Also winning two silver medals are Divine Wally who bowed down to Thi Chinh Nguyen in the 48kg gold medal match, and Evita Elise Zamora who lost the gold medal in the 52 kg sanda event to Thu Hoai Nguyen of Vietnam, the same opponent who beat her in the 7th Asian Junior Championship. (Don’t worry Evita! The next fight will surely be yours!)
Francisco Solis settled for the bronze medal after he lost to Lao’s Khamla Sou Khaphone in the men’s 56kg sanda event last Saturday.
In action tomorrow are Taolu artists Kariza Kris Chan and Natasha Laxamana who are seeing action at the Duilian event, and Daniel Parantac who will continue his campaign in the Men’s Taijiquan + Taijijian where he currently tops the leaderboard.pinoyheadline.com
