SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Irish Magno Punches Way to Gold Medal Match

Analysis: Had Thailand's Sopida Satumrum won the bout, no one would have objected, least of all Irish Magno. She knew that it go either way, which is why she feel to her knees in joy when she was announced the winner by split decision. It was a very even match, with both fighters being aggressive, scoring points on big punches, lots of combinations and bobbing happening. What worries me about Magno is that she does a lot of things competently but no one thing exceptionally. That could prove to be the difference between a gold medal and a silver.

Still, congratulations on a job well done, Irish Magno!

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports via Youtube.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Josie Gabuco Wins To Book Ticket To Finals

Analysis: For several seconds during the match, I kept thinking how Manny Pacquiao managed to suit up in Josie Gabuco's jersey. That's how deadly Gabuco was, firing off 6 punch flurries for every combination her opponent threw. But don't get me wrong, it wasn't an easy match for Gabuco. Singapore's Leona Hui came ready for the throwdown, never backing down from Gabuco, despite getting hit over and over again. She threw several shots that clearly connected and bothered Gabuco and it is a testament to gabuco's mental fortitude that she shook off those shots and went back to throwing lightning quick combinations. Hui may have lost the fight but she certainly didn't get beaten badly. Gabuco was simply too quick, too skilled to be denied a shot at the gold.

Congratulations Josie Gabuco!

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports via Youtube.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Cantancio wins easily via TKO

Analysis: Easily the most lopsided bout for Team Philippines so far. Junel Cantancio started taking Graciano Florindo de Jesus apart in the very first second and never let up. In fairness to the Timor Leste fighter, he tried to give as good as he got but Cantancio's speed and technique was just too much. Two cracking hits to the head with barely any hand defense was enough to seal the deal for the ref.

Congrats kabayan Junel Cantancio!

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Ladon Wins Over Malaysia's Mohd Redzuan

Analysis: Undeniably one of the most exciting bouts of the Games so far. Ladon vs Mohd Redzuan is so action packed it looked like a sequence from the Rocky movie series. Both Ladon and Mohd Redzuan were attacking fighters, so both were aggressive in taking the fight to each other. Ladon was the better counter puncher though and that, I think, spelled the difference between moving on to the medal rounds and going home empty handed. That being said, this fight was so even that if Mohd Redzuan was from Singapore, he would have won it. As such, it was a split decision for Ladon and has the decision gone Mohd Redzuan's way, it would have been much deserved too. In the second round, Mohd Redzuan actually rocked Ladon twice with clear cut power punches. Fortunately, Ladon got one back with about 25 seconds left in the round, paving the way to the W via split decision.

Congrats Rogen Ladon and good bout, Muhamad Mohd Redzuan.

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Wushu Men's Team Wins Silver in Duel Event

 

Analysis: Thought our boys performance was good enough for gold but with Team Singapore also putting on a strong routine, it was inevitable for the hometown team to win. The close score (SG's 9.72 vs the Philippines 9.70) shows just how well the boys performed (to watch their performance at 14:20). The Philippine team showcased good speed, power, grace and theatrics, and it's hard to say in which area they were outperformed in. Not to say, of course, the Signaporeans didn't deserve the gold, just that both squad gave gold-worthy performances and that if the SEA Games was in Manila, the Philippine team would have gone away with the gold medal.

Congratulations to Norlence Catolico, John Chan, and Daniel Parantac!

Video courtesy of Sinapore Sports on Youtube. 

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Women's Duel Event

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is real! These girls can really put on a fight!

Analysis: The Philippine duo put on a good show put came in last (for their performance, go to the 7:30 mark). To my inexperienced eye, the pair had grace and speed in spades but what they lacked was power and precision. Several times, they made moves that should have made contact but didn't, or that made a faint clink. By the end, one of them was obviously slowing down her pace to allow her partner to catch up. If I noticed that (and again, I am not a very experienced wushu watcher). then I'm pretty sure the judges noticed that too.

Still, these girls have made us proud. Salamat at mabuhay kayo, Kariza Chan and Natasha Enriquez.

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports on Youtube.