In case you missed the news, the nation of Malaysia (population: over 32 million) will be hosting the 34th edition of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in the year 2027, according to a Channel News Asia (CNA) report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the CNA report. Some parts in boldface…
Malaysia has been selected to host the 34th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2027, the Olympic Council of Malaysia said on Thursday (May 12).
In a post on its verified Facebook page, the council said the Southeast Asian Games Federation has “unanimously awarded” the hosting of the 2027 Games to Malaysia.
It will be the first time in a decade that the country is hosting the Games – it last did so in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.
Last year, it was reported that Brunei pulled out of hosting the SEA Games in 2027, with Malaysia expressing an interest to take over.
The 31st SEA Games is currently underway in Hanoi after it was delayed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 32nd edition will be in Cambodia and the 33rd Games will be in Thailand.
In the history of the SEA Games, Malaysia hosted the games in 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2017. Each of those editions had Kuala Lumpur as the host city in Malaysia. The nation is a strong tourist destination in Southeast Asia, attracting more than 26 million foreigners in 2019. Months ago, Malaysia’s borders were reopened to visitors. To discover more about Malaysia, watch the videos below…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the selection of Malaysia as the host of the SEA Games in 2027? Have you visited Malaysia before?
The Philippines got a much-needed boost in the medal tally of the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam as the region’s reigning triathlon queen Marion Kim Mangrobang pulled off another gold medal victory in the women’s duathlon event today. To put things in perspective, this is the second straight gold medal Mangrobang won for the nation and the duathlon event for women happened just a day after the women’s triathlon took place. That being said, what she achieved for the nation – double gold medals in back-to-back multisport events – is nothing short of amazing!
The official race results of the SEA Games women’s duathlon showed that Mangrobang finished the grueling 10 kilometer run – 40Km bike – 5Km run event in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 12 seconds, securing the gold medal for the Philippines. The silver medal went to Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid of Malaysia who finished 2:14:22 while Indonesia’s Zahra Putri Bulan Aprillia grabbed the bronze clocking 2:14:49. Mangrobang’s teammate Alexandra Ganzon finished 8th with a time of 2:23:09.
Kim Mangrobang’s SEA Games women’s duathlon gold medal victory acknowledged. (photo source – Philippine Olympic Committee Facebook page)
Looking at the individual times, Mangrobang had the 2nd fastest time in the 10Km run leg and went on to complete the 40Km bike leg in 1:09:51. Mangrobang excelled in the 5Km run leg clocking 19:51 which was enough to secure the first-place victory. None of her competitors finished the 5Km run in less than 20 minutes.
Kim Mangrobang’s double-gold accomplishments this weekend helped the Philippines a lot in the ongoing SEA Games. As such, she has established herself as the reigning queen of triathlon and duathlon in the entire Southeast Asian region. On social media, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) acknowledged the newly won women’s duathlon gold medal as the 14th gold the country won as of this writing. What Mangrobang achieved here will be remembered for a very long time and it is worth recording in the history of Philippine sports, Philippine triathlon and the SEA Games itself.
As I mentioned in my previous article, the next edition of the Southeast Asian Games will be held in Cambodia next year already. The 32nd SEA Games (marketed as Cambodia 2023) already has triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon among its official events. That being said, Kim Mangrobang’s reign as Southeast Asia’s best female triathlete and duathlete will last until the next SEA Games happen. If you want to learn more about Mangrobang, read my feature article of her by clicking here.
Going back to the ongoing SEA Games’ duathlon, the Philippines almost won a medal in the men’s duathlon event according to the race results published. John Chicano finished 4th timing 1:57:50. He was just 14 seconds behind the bronze medalist Jauhari Johan of Indonesia. The gold and silver medals were won by the respective duathletes of Vietnam (1:55:58) and Indonesia (1:56:12). Chicano’s teammate Raymond Torio Molano finished 6th with a time of 1:59:49. Those who want to learn more about Chicano – who won the 2019 SEA Games men’s triathlon gold medal and was the top Philippine finisher in the recent Subic Bay International Triathlon – read my feature of him by clicking here.
Now that the triathlon and duathlon events of the 31st SEA Games are officially over, the Philippines won a total of 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 1 bronze. Fer Casares and Kim Mangrobang’s gold-medal accomplishments (plus the respective medal victories of Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba) in Vietnam made that clear the Philippines is the best in Southeast Asia in the sport of triathlon until the next SEA Games happen in Cambodia. On duathlon, the Philippines is the best in Southeast Asia among the women while Vietnam is the best in the region among the men.
Considering what the Philippines achieved in the multisport events in Vietnam, we should all be thankful to the Lord for the victories. I encourage you all to congratulate our nation’s best multisport athletes as well as their coaches, the local triathlon officials, the supporters and other stakeholders who helped made the SEA Games events and participation push through.
In closing this post, posted below are two translations of Philippian 4:13 from the Holy Bible which should enlighten you about victory, achievements and accomplishments. Once again, praise and thank the Lord for the triathlon, duathlon and other sports victories the Philippines achieved in the 31st SEA Games.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Ramon Fernandez bared on Tuesday that spectators would now be allowed to cheer for the athletes at the competition venues of the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
Fernandez, the country’s chef de mission to the Games, attended the first chef de mission meeting at the Hyatt Regency West Hanoi here where all 11 CDMs of the 11 national Olympic committee graced the gathering.
“The host country will open the venues to fans and spectators as long as they strictly follow health and safety protocols,’’ said Fernandez, who attended the meeting with PSC Public Communications Office head Emmalyn Bamba.
Except for football, Fernandez said no fees will be charged at the entrance in all competition venues of the 39 sports from the opening ceremonies of the Games on Thursday until the closing rites on May 23.
“Tickets will only be sold during football matches where a large volume of spectators are expected,’’ said Fernandez. With the gates opened to the public, Fernandez pushed for the safety of the athletes from contracting the COVID-19 virus, which was seconded by Indonesia and Singapore and supported by all CDMs.
“Vietnam organizers assured that health protocols will be in place by wearing masks and the strict implementation of social distancing,’’ said Fernandez.
Other concerns were discussed during the CDM meeting with Fernandez raising the issue of the presence of a medical room, which will be stationed at the headquarters of the Philippine delegation here.
Also discussed were the arrangements for the Team Welcome Ceremony for Team Philippines and other countries on Wednesday, a day prior to the opening rites.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to Vietnam’s move to open up SEA Games competition venues (except football) to spectators?
While most of the country has been focused on the May 9 General Elections (national and local levels) as people will elect a new President who will lead the country for the next six years, the Philippines has a huge delegation gradually arriving in Vietnam for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021), according to an article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). While the opening ceremony of the SEA Games has been set to happen on May 12, there are already sports events that were held days ahead of the said ceremony. The Philippine Team, which has a financial support of over P200 million, will start very soon its quest for gold while adjusting themselves to the new environment, culture and society there in Vietnam.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine contingent for the 31st Southeast Asian Games is scheduled to check in on Tuesday with the Philippine Sports Commission on hand to facilitate their arrival and have them comfortably settled two days before the opening ceremony of the 11-nation sportsfest.
A large wave of athletes led by 2019 SEA Games multiple medalist and world champion gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo will set foot here together with the highly admired women’s volleyball team featuring its top celebrities Alyssa Valdez, Aby Maraño and Jaja Santiago.
Yulo, who brought along his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, won two gold medals and five silvers in men’s artistic gymnastics back in Manila 2019 and is expected to deliver again for Team Philippines.
“We are ready to receive our athletes and coaches and extend the assistance they need once they arrive here. They have to be free of distractions so they can focus on their respective competitions ahead,” said PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, the chef de mission of Team Philippines.
Women’s volleyball and men’s volleyball have a total headcount of 38 players and officials while gymnastics has 22 athletes and coaches comprising the 193 members of the delegation set to arrive on Tuesday.
Filipino athletes and officials from badminton (19), bodybuilding (13), fencing (28), table tennis (17), tennis (12), athletics (8), wushu (17), and one swimmer will likewise depart from Manila on the same day along with the PSC medical team (6) and members of the media (12).
Already settled in the Vietnamese capital and have moved to their respective billeting areas are athletes from kickboxing, handball, men’s and women’s football, rowing, chess, kurash, pencak silat, men’s 3×3 basketball, women’s basketball, golf, and triathlon/duathlon.
The main bulk of track and field athletes and officials (50) will be here on Wednesday, including pole vault Asian record holder Ernest John Obiena.
The Philippine Team for triathlon and duathlon at the airport before they departed to Vietnam. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission Facebook page)
To know more about what kind of competitors Team Philippines will face in the SEA Games triathlon and duathlon events, check out my recent post related to the highly detailed interview with the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA). To find out who exactly are the Southeast Asian triathletes and duathletes in the men’s triathlon, women’s triathlon, men’s duathlon and women’s duathlon, check out the SEA Games pages at Triathlon.org which now have official lists of starters for public viewing.
Considering what is at stake and what kind of competitors the Philippine delegation will face at the SEA Games, I urge you to pray to our Lord for victories to be achieved by our nation’s finest athletes (note: each of them went through qualification processes in their respective teams and sports) and that they (along with their coaches) will be rewarded abundantly. We should not believe on luck because we have the victory of Lord Jesus to believe in and God is the definitive source and provider of blessings, breakthroughs and miracles that we must believe in. To pray to the Lord, be in your room with the door shut and pray in tongues to Him with all your heart. Also be thankful to Him wholeheartedly.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: How excited are you right now with the Philippines’ SEA Games campaign? What is the one sports event of the SEA Games you are excited for?
The 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) is just one week away from formally opening in the City of Hanoi in Vietnam. As for the Philippine sports delegation attending the region’s biggest sports event, their campaign has received a financial support of more than P200 million from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and more money could be released, according to a BusinessWorld news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…
THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have cough up more than P200 million to fuel the country’s ambitious campaign to defend its overall title in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games (SEA) set on May 12 to 23.
“The PSC had already released more than P200 million and could reach P230 million to fund the country’s SEA Games participation,” a source on Monday told The STAR.
Part of the Philippines’ 987-strong delegation, which included 646 athletes, had left for Hanoi on Sunday and on Monday while the bulk of it will follow suit next week in time for the opening ceremony on May 12.
There (rest) of the delegation will arrive on May 13.
Kickboxing, which will be led by former mixed martial arts champion Honorio Banario and 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Jean Claude Saclag and Gina Iniong Arao, flew on Monday.
The national kickboxers are out to eclipse, if not duplicate, their three-gold, two-silver and one-bronze harvest in the last edition of the biennial meet.
Jomar Balangui, Renalyn Dacquiel, Carlos Alvarez, Kurt Lubrica, Daryl Chulipaz, Emmanuel Cantores, Claudine Veloso, Gretel de Paz, and Zephania Ngaya are the other members of the team.
PSC commissioner and the country’s Hanoi Games chef de mission Ramon Fernandez and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino are both optimistic of the Filipinos’ chances.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a sports enthusiast based in the Philippines, do you think that P200 million to P230 million is enough funding to help Team Philippines achieve its gold medal targets in the SEA Games there in Vietnam?
Have you heard about Quang Ninh? It is the province in Vietnam that will host several events of the delayed 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021), specifically triathlon, beach volleyball, beach handball, triathlon, women’s football, Chinese chess, indoor volleyball and chess. Quang Ninh has a population of over 1.3 million and its capital is the City of Hạ Long.
For more details and to put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn article about the accommodations plus a related video. Some parts in boldface…
During the Games, Quang Ninh will host the events of beach handball, chess, women’s football, indoor volleyball, Chinese chess, beach volleyball, and triathlon, which are slated from May 6-22 with the participation of over 1,400 athletes.
According to the province’s SEA Games Organising Committee, three of the facilities are in Ha Long and Uong Bi cities, namely the five-star Legacy Yen Tu resort, the five-star FLC Grand Hotel Ha Long and the four-star Tuan Chau Resort Ha Long.
Two others, Hai Yen and Hoang Tam, are in Cam Pha city.
All the five are in city downtown or near competition venues.
The province considers hosting the regional sporting event a great opportunity to promote local tourism to international friends.
Posted below is the excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn story about the free admission to local tourist sites for the SEA Games athletes. Some parts in boldface…
More than 1,400 athletes, coaches, referees and organising committee members taking part in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) events in Quang Ninh will be entitled to free admission to popular tourist attractions in the northern province.
Free sightseeing tours and experience activities will be held during the games, alternating between competition days, to allow all athletes and coaching staff to join, according to Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports.
SEA Games 31 is the biggest sports event ever hosted by Quang Ninh. It is deemed as a perfect opportunity for the coastal province to introduce its magnificent natural landscapes to international visitors.
The province has designated five three- to five-star hotels to accommodate sports delegations, referees and organising committee members.
It will host competitions in seven sports, namely beach volleyball, beach handball, triathlon, women’s football, Chinese chess, indoor volleyball and chess, from May 6 – 22.
Posted below is a related video about Quang Ninh and tourism…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about Quang Ninh province in Vietnam? Are you eager to visit Quang Ninh province to watch any of the SEA Games events there?
Japan served notice it is all out to regain her pre-eminence in the NTT Asia Cup SUBIT as she entered a powerhouse squad in the 29th edition of the country’s longest running triathlon event outside of the National Championships set at Subic Bay Freeport Zone this Sunday (May 1).
Asia’s No. 3 and 56th in the world rankings Ren Sato is installed as the No. 1 seed in the elite men category followed by Tsudoi Miyazaki, ranked 4th in Asia and 59th in the world.
In the elite women, inaugural Youth Olympic Games triathlon gold medalist and Rio Olympics 2016 15th placer Yuka Sato (10th– Continental Ranking; 90th– World Ranking) gets the top billing and Tsudoi Miyazaki (14th-CR; 145th– WR) the main supporting role.
Rounding out the top 5 men favorites are: Rio 2016 veteran Azerbaijan’s Rostislav Pevtsov (47th– CR, 76th-WR), Genta Uchida (8th– CR; 97th– WR) and the last SUBIT (2019) champion Hong Kong’s Oscar Coggins who finished 33rd in the Tokyo 2020 (10th– CR; 120th-WR).
Completing the pundits’ choices for a podium finish in the distaff side is Australia’s Jessica Ewart-mctigue (16th-CR; 153- WR).
The last time the Japanese ruled the elite men was in 2017 when they romped off with 1st,3rd and 5th positions with the Koreans inserting themselves in-between; and in the elite women in 2015 when they finished 1-2.
Partnering with organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines in SUBIT are Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority under newly-installed Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee with Standard Insurance, Asian Center for Insulation Phil (ACIP), Pocari Sweat, Aurora Suites & Pavilion, and FINIS as sponsors.
Seeing action in SUBIT where top performers gain points for continental and world ranking are hopefuls from aside Japan, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, and Australia are Chinese-Taipei, India, Singapore, Slovakia and the Philippines.
Conspicuously absent are the Chinese, particularly Mengying Zhong, the back-to-back women’s champion of the last two editions of SUBIT.
The country’s bets to the 31st Hanoi SEA Games, namely, Kim Mangrobang, Raven Faith Alcoseba, Lauren Plaza, Andrew Kim Remolino, Fernando Casares and John Chicano banner the Team Philippines.
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The above information was sourced from an official press release issued by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. Some parts were modified for this website.
For related triathlon stories about the Subic Bay International Triathlon and the SEA Games this year, click here, here, here and here.
As the 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam comes closer, the excitement and suspense grow stronger which naturally comes with foreseeing the outcome (note: positions and medals) in certain sports events. For this, we will focus on the triathlon and duathlon events of this year’s SEA Games through what was mentioned during the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s (PSA)recent livestream that had 2019 SEA Games gold medalist John Chicano and triathlon-duathlon coach Melvin Fausto as guests which the Manila Bulletin reported about.
Going back to the current topic, Chicano and Fausto were interviewed live by the PSA and you can watch the full video at https://fb.watch/cDsxPptWcH/
2019 SEA Games gold medalist John Chicano and coach Melvin Fausto (lower-right corner) during the PSA livestream of April 26, 2022.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin sports report about the PSA livestream. Some parts in boldface…
The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) guns for 1-2 finishes in the triathlon and duathlon events of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next month.
National team coach Melvin Fausto disclosed this Tuesday, adding they are sending their strongest teams to achieve that goal.
The triathlon squad is composed of Fer Casares, Kim Remolino, Kim Mangrobang and Raven Alcoseba, with John Chicano and Lauren Plaza as reserves.
The duathlon crew, meanwhile, will have Chicano, Raymund Torio, Mangrobang and Alex Ganzon Dumaran with Casares and Alcoseba as reserves.
Fausto said the shift of Chicano from triathlon to duathlon is a strategic move to achieve that gold medal.
Chicano competed and won the gold in triathlon at the 2019 SEAG edition.
“Si John kasi, he’s a strong runner like Raymund. Duathlon talaga siya malakas, so yun yung wino-work out natin ngayon,” Fausto said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.
For Chicano, it would be a challenge. He is also using the SEAG as a training ground for his duathlon event at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in July.
“Sana makuha namin yung gold and silver kasi maganda naman yung teammup namin ni Raymund,” Chicano said.
“Pukpukan din yung preparation namin dito sa Clark.”
Aside from the medals, Fausto said they are also seek to improve their athletes’ times by aiming to finish under one hour and 50 minutes in triathlon.
“Mas focused na tayo sa time ngayon eh. Part na yun ng strategy. Like nung last SEAG, naka-focus kami mag 1:55 sa triathlon tapos nag-1:53 si John for the gold medal. Ngayon ang focus namin maka 1:50 to win the gold,” Fausto said.
“Saka yung goal natin is to improve their time to world-class level, lalo na si John na qualified sa World Games.”
As you can see in the above excerpt, the stakes are high for the Philippine Team on triathlon and duathlon. They have been training intensely not just for the SEA Games (set for May 12 to 23, 2022) but also for the Subic Bay International Triathlon. They are training intensely as they know that their Southeast Asian competitors in triathlon and duathlon have intensified (see the related details in the paragraph below). They are training not just for medals but for honors for the Philippines. That being said, May 2022 is indeed a crucial month for the Philippine Team members and their coaches as they have two major events to compete in.
The notable details
During the early part of the PSA livestream, coach Melvin stated that triathlon is indeed a growing sport and in due time it will become a more relevant sport for Filipinos and Asians. The coach made clear his dedication to triathlon is very strong. Take note that he was involved during the Philippine Team’s previous SEA Games campaigns. When it comes to their SEA Games competitors, the coach mentioned Indonesia as a well-supported and growing force in triathlon. He also mentioned that competitors from Singapore, Malaysia and host country Vietnam will be present. That being said, expect fierce competition for the SEA Games triathlon and duathlon gold medals. With regards to John Chicano, things will be different as he will engage in the men’s duathlon at this year’s SEA Games. For the newcomers reading this, duathlon is a multisport event with a run-bike-run format.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the triathlon and duathlon events in the SEA Games this year? Do you believe the Philippines will win gold and silver in the SEA Games triathlon and duathlon events? Do you intend to visit Subic Bay to watch in person the SUBIT on May 1? Do you plan to travel all the way to Vietnam to watch the SEA Games events in-person?
For more details and to put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn article. Some parts in boldface…
The 20,000 tickets available for the opening ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi will be distributed free of charge as invitations rather than sold as tickets.
The organising committee said the tickets will be allocated to Government and international officials, foreign embassies in Vietnam, as well as fans.
The tickets have been reserved for seats in Stand A because Stand B will host performances during the ceremony on May 12.
At the 2-hour event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will announce the official opening of the SEA Games 31 after a parade of the 11 delegations.
Meanwhile, tickets for the final and runners-up matches of the men’s football, slated for 4pm and 7pm on May 22 at My Dinh Stadium, will be sold both online and offline at 300,000 VND (13 USD), 500,000 VND, 700,000 VND, and 900,000 VND each, according to the Games organising committee.
Tickets to see the Vietnamese men’s U23 football team in Group A at Viet Tri Stadium will be distributed by the organising committee of Phu Tho province. They will be sold at 200,000 VND, 300,000 VND, and 500,000 VND each.
A semi-final of the men’s football will also be held at Viet Tri Stadium, and tickets will be at 300,000 VND, 400,000 VND, and 600,000 VND each.
Whatever your plans are on enjoying the SEA Games sports events spectators and tourists, better prepare your budget. To secure an invitation to the SEA Games opening ceremony, you will have to contact the event organizers and see how many tickets are there remaining for fans. While there are 20,000 opening ceremony tickets available, no breakdown was printed in the VietnamPlus.vn report. If you are fortunate to secure an opening ceremony ticket/invite, that would be a bonus since it would not cost you money to watch the event which is sure to be a spectacle. Watching other SEA Games sports events on-location may require paying for tickets (depending on the sport, the venue and local agreements related to it).
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the tickets for the 31st SEA Games opening ceremony that will be distributed free of charge? If you are truly traveling to Vietnam to watch the SEA Games events in-person, is the opening ceremony part of your plan?
The much anticipated 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) are only fifteen days away from formally opening in Hanoi, Vietnam. For those who have been wondering what the designs of the gold, silver and bronze medals of the SEA Games would look like, the local organizers recently unveiled them for public viewing and released some details about them (check out the VietnamPlus report). For everyone’s reference, posted below is the official image of the medals sourced from the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports.
The gold, silver and bronze medals of the 31st SEA Games. (source – Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports)
For more details and to put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus article. Some parts in boldface…
The Organising Committee of SEA Games 31 said the designs of medals to be awarded during the SEA Games 31 have been completed, and the manufacture of the medals has begun.
About 4,000 gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to athletes with high achievements in competition.
The SEA Games 31 medals are cast in copper – zinc compounds, of which red copper accounts for over 85 percent.
Each medal is 5mm thick, with an embossed saola (the mascot of the event) image on one side, and an embossed logo on the other side.
The V-shaped hand logo on the medal is inspired by the image of athletes putting their hands on the left chest when singing the national anthem of their country, while the blue ascending wing symbolizes the brave spirit, the aspiration to conquer new heights and the friendship in the region.
The gold medal will be plated with 24k gold, silver medals will be silver plated, and bronze medals will be copper plated.
To maintain the durability, each medal will be lined on the inside with 3 layers of plating and covered with an extra layer on the outside.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the newly unveiled SEA Games medals? What caught your attention the most with regards to their designs?
Author Carlo Carrasco 