Philippine obstacle course race athletes set world records, poised to deliver SEAG gold medals

The Philippine national obstacle racing athletes are set to deliver the country's first gold medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games after setting new world records in the qualifying heats of the biennial meet on Wednesday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Filipino ace Mark Julius Rodelas set up an All-Filipino showdown against compatriot and 2019 SEA Games champion Kevin Pascua after the former shattered his own world record with 25.0921 seconds finish in the heats. Rodelas' previous record was 26.42.

Pascua, meanwhile, wound up second in the heats with 26.1896. With the two clashing in the finals, the Philippines is now already assured of one gold medal and one silver in the regional contest.

In the women's division, it will also be an all-Filipino encounter as Precious Cabuya and Kaizen dela Serna both moved on to the gold medal match.

Cabuya covered the 100m course with a 33.1278-finish while dela Serna came in at the second spot with 35.42 seconds. Dela Serna was the holder of the erstwhile global mark of 35.42 seconds, which has now been broken by Cabuya.

Both finals will be held on May 6, Saturday.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News