Filipina Marathoner Wins First Gold for PH in SEA Games

Filipina marathoner Mary Joy Tabal has won the first gold medal for the Philippines in the women’s marathon August 19 at the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia.

Mary Joy Tabal crossed the finish line at 2:48:26. /IMAGE KL 2017 29th SEA Games

Outrunning fellow female marathoners last Saturday, Tabal was the first to cross the finish line clocking up 2:48:26.

Tabal is a 28-year-old native of Cebu and was the first Filipina to qualify for the Olympics women’s marathon. She placed 124th at the 2016 Rio Olympics and also previously won the silver medal in the 2015 SEA Games.

This year’s SEA Games is being held in Kuala Lumpur, MY until August 30.

As of today, The Philippines is in sixth place with a total of 15 medals (three gold, six silver, and six bronze medals). After the women’s marathon, the Philippines also won gold in the women’s triathlon and the men’s triathlon.

Malaysia is currently taking the lead with a total of 59 medals, 25 of which are gold.

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Sources: GMA News Online, ABS-CBN Sports, KL 2017 29th SEA Games Facebook page