Philippines crosses 50-gold mark with help from combat sports, weightlifting

The Philippines breached the 50-gold medal mark on Monday as combat sports and weightlifting added at least five to the country's haul in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Kickboxing's Jean Claude Saclag won a gold in the men's low kick -65kg event, while Dexler Bolambao and Ma. Ella Alcoseba won their respective divisions in the full contact live stick (bantamweight) events in arnis.

Wrestler Cristina Vergara also won a gold medal in the women's 65kg event, while her daughter Cathlyn claimed bronze in the women's 59kg event.

Weightlifter Vanessa Sarno also added to the country's haul which reached 51 gold medals as of writing.

Renalyn Dacquel and Fitzchel Formato claimed silver medals in kickboxing, while Jiah Pingot and Jeanmae Lobo also bagged silvers from wrestling. Jude Rodriguez also copped a silver medal in women's full contact live stick (lightweight) in arnis.

Taekwondo jins added four bronze medals, while wrestling, judo, and kickboxing, chipped in three apiece, with arnis, fencing, and the PUBG-Mixed Individual event claiming three more bronze medals for a total of 15.

As of writing, the Philippines has 51 gold medals, 77 silver medals, and 103 bronze medals for a total of 231, to rank fifth in the biennial meet's medal tally.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News