Philippine Swimming Team Marks Best Gold Medal Haul In Cambodia SEA Games 2023

The Philippine national swimming team made a splash at this year’s 32nd Southeast Asian Games, bagging a total of 16 medals, including two golds, at the Aquatics Center of the Morodok Techo National Sports Complex. Xiandi Chua and Teia Salvino were the standout performers, each winning a gold medal and setting new national and SEA Games records.

Xiandi Chua and Teia Salvino each won a gold medal, setting new national and SEA Games records in the process. 

Chua won the women’s 200-meter backstroke in record-shattering fashion, touching the wall in 2:13.20. Salvino won gold in the women’s 100m backstroke, clocking 1:01.64 minutes and also setting a new SEA Games record. 

Both athletes were impressive with their performances and brought home the Philippines’ best gold medal haul in swimming since the 2009 SEA Games.

Xiandi Chua displayed impressive speed during the final turn and secured the gold medal in the women’s 200-meter backstroke event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games’ swimming competition. 

Chua’s teammate Chloe Isleta finished second at 2:16.19, resulting in a gold-silver win for the Philippines at the Morodok Aquatic Center. 

Thailand’s Fonpray Yamsuan claimed third place with a time of 2:17.95. Chua broke the SEA Games record in the event, surpassing Nguyen Thi Anh Vien’s time of 2:13.64, set during the 2017 Games in Malaysia.

The Philippine team also won a total of eight bronze medals, with Jasmine Alkhaldi, Jarod Hatch, and Jerard Jacinto all contributing to the team’s success. 

Alkhaldi and Hatch won bronze in the women’s and men’s 100m butterfly events, respectively, while Jacinto won bronze in the men’s 100m backstroke. Alkhaldi also won bronze in the women’s 50m and 100m butterfly events, while Salvino won bronze in the women’s 50m backstroke.

The team’s silver medal haul included Chloe Isleta’s performance in the women’s 200m backstroke, Jacinto’s silver in the men’s 50m backstroke, Alkhaldi’s silver in the women’s 100m freestyle, and the mixed 4x100m medley relay team’s silver medal win. The 4x100m freestyle relay team of Alkhaldi, Salvino, Chua, and Miranda Renner, the 4x100m medley relay team of Salvino, Renner, Alkhaldi, and Angelyn Cacho, and the 4x100m mixed medley relay team of Jacinto, Cacho, Alkhaldi, and Hatch also won silver medals.

With a total of 16 medals, the Philippine national swimming team has achieved its best gold medal haul since the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos. The exemplary performance of the team is a reflection of the relentless commitment and determination exhibited by the athletes, coaches, and staff who dedicated themselves to rigorous training in anticipation of the event.

The athletes expressed their gratitude for the support they received, particularly from the Filipino community. They also dedicated their wins to the country and the late Philippine Swimming, Inc. president Mark Joseph.

The Philippine swimming team’s success at the SEA Games is a source of inspiration and pride for Filipinos everywhere. It highlights the country’s potential to excel in sports and underscores the importance of investing in sports development programs to help athletes reach their full potential.