The Philippine Online Chronicles

Long jump champion Marestella Torres defended her Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) gold medal in record fashion, winning the first gold medal for the Philippines in the 26th SEA Games in Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, Indonesia earlier today.

Torres jumped at a maximum distance of 6.71 meters, breaking the SEA Games record of former Filipina long jump queen Elma Muros, which was at 6.52 meters in 1989.

Torres' compatriot Katherine Santos won the bronze in the said competition, jumping at 6.25, giving a 1-3 finish for the Philippines in women's long jump. Maria Londa of host country Indonesia finished with the silver medal, jumping at a distance of 6.47 meters.

Minutes ago, the national women's poomsae taekwondo team, composed of Rani Ann Ortega, Francesca Camille Alarilla, and Ma. Carla Janice Lagman, successfully defended the gold medal. The national poomsae team also won the silver medal in the mixed pair competition, bannered by the duo of Shaneen Ched Sia and Vidal Marvin Gabriel while Gabriel won the bronze medal in the men's individual poomsae.

The Philippines meanwhile won its first silver medal, with cyclist Joey Barba placing in the 1.5 kilometer downhill mountain bike competition in Gunung Pancar. Barba finished the course in two minutes and 32.44 seconds, a second short of Indonesian gold medalist Purnomo's time.

The Philippine men's badminton team also ype=K">started on the right foot, winning its opening match versus Myanmar (Burma), 3-0, at the Senayan Sports Complex.

The Philippines is currently at fourth place behind leader Indonesia (10-9-1), Singapore (3-4-6), and Thailand (3-1-6)