PH tracksters Cesar, Loraña strike golds with sweep of 800-m

BANGKOK -- SEA Games first-timer Naomi Marjorie Cesar delivered a breakthrough performance for the Philippines, capturing a gold medal in a dramatic photo finish at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at Suphachalasai National Stadium.

The 16-year-old Cesar registered a 2:10.2 in the 800-m against Vietnam's Thi Thu Ha Nguyen who settled for silver with a 2:10.3

Fellow Filipino Bernalyn Bejoy completed the big day for the Flipinos, securing the bronze with a 2:10.6.

"It was great. I couldn't ask for a better result and I think I'm kind of shocked, but it's amazing," said the 16-year-old Cesar, younger sister of Philippine women’s football team member Malea Cesar.

"It feels amazing. I'm so honored to represent the country. Winning the gold is a dream come true," added Cesar

Sharing the limelight was Hussein Loraña, who clocked a minute and 48.80 seconds to claim the gold medal in men's 800-meters against crowd favorite, Thailand’s Joshua Robert Atkinson, who timed 1:49.24 for the silver medal.

Wan Zahari Wan Muhammad Fazri of Malaysia finished with 1:49.85 for the bronze.

"Sobrang unexpected po kasi I'm against Southeast Asia's fastest runner in 800-meter and 400-meter runner as well. Sobrang ‘di ko expect na mananalo sa event na to," said Loraña. (MCO-EM)