Wushu star Wong fuels 4-gold PH haul

PHNOM PENH – Wushu star Agatha Wong sparked a modest four-gold haul Friday as the Philippines geared up for the final push in what could be an excruciating climb for a decent finish in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here.

Wong, balancing her studies and training, came up with a dazzling performance in the women’s combined taijiquan and taijijian events and won with 19.263 points for her fifth SEA Games gold medal.

“I didn’t expect to win because I’m also a med student. I’m in my first year of medicine,” said Wong, who returned to school after graduating with a Diplomatic Affairs degree from the College of St. Benilde in 2018.

Later in the day, Aidaine Laxa, Joel Ninobla and Nicole Labayne kicked their way to victory in the women’s poomsae event, delivering taekwondo’s first victory here.

Patrick King Perez made it a golden double for taekwondo by ruling the men’s individual poomsae event, injecting life into the country’s sagging hopes.

with 19.263 points for her