Olympian Kayla Sanchez continued her outstanding performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games Saturday in Bangkok, capturing her third gold medal in swimming. Sanchez topped the women’s 100m backstroke with a time of 1:02.35, edging Thailand’s Mia Millar (1:02.52) and Indonesia’s Flairene Candrea (1:02.60) for the podium.

Sanchez expressed her joy after the victory, noting the personal significance of the day. “Honestly, it’s amazing, I’m just happy to bring back a medal for the Philippines,” she said. “It was so much fun, like this experience, the atmosphere, everyone. And it’s fun to be with my team too. It was a great experience.”

The two-time Olympic medalist also dedicated her win to her father, whose birthday fell on the day of her race. “I just keep it together and stay calm… Also, it’s my dad’s birthday today. So I want to win this medal for him, and win that gold for the Philippines,” Sanchez added.

Sanchez’s first two golds came in the 100m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay, the latter achieved alongside teammates Xiandi Chua, Chloe Esleta, and White, marking the Philippines’ first-ever gold in that relay event. She also added two silvers in the 50m backstroke and 200m freestyle, demonstrating her consistency across multiple disciplines.

Sanchez extends medal streak in multiple events

The Filipino swimming star still has five events remaining, including the 4x100m mixed medley, 50m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay, 50m butterfly, and 4x100m medley relay. Each race offers an opportunity to extend her medal haul for the Philippines before the conclusion of the SEA Games.

Sanchez approaches her remaining events with focus and determination, aiming to maintain peak performance across multiple races. Her continued performance across multiple events highlights her dominance and sets the stage for potential further gold and silver finishes in upcoming competitions.

Philippines swimming squad eyes additional podiums

Sanchez’s victories have inspired her teammates, motivating the Philippines’ swimming squad to aim for more medals. The team is focused on maximizing performance in relay and individual events, ensuring the country maintains a strong presence in SEA Games swimming.

Coaches and swimmers alike emphasize teamwork, preparation, and consistency as key factors for success in the remaining events. This strategic approach aims to capitalize on momentum built by Sanchez’s performance, increasing the Philippines’ chances for a strong medal haul.