Latest news with #SoutheastAsianGames
Filipino Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Filipino Times
Filipina athlete wins bronze at Spartan Ultra World Championships in France
Filipina endurance star Sandi Menchi Abahan delivered a podium-worthy performance at one of the world's most grueling races—the Spartan Ultra World Championship held in Morzine, France—clinching the bronze medal in the women's Elite Open division. During the competition, athletes must conquer a 50-kilometer mountain trail laden with over 60 obstacles, including high-altitude lake crossings, steep alpine climbs, and icy white-water swims. For Abahan, the challenge was an opportunity to prove once again why she remains one of Southeast Asia's premier obstacle course racers. A native of Baguio City and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, she clocked 8 hours, 44 minutes, and 22 seconds to finish third behind hometown bet Leslie Lejeune of France (8:02:15) and Britain's Andrea Berquez (8:19:45). In the men's division, fellow Filipinos Jobert Carolino and Andrico Mahilum also took on the Spartan Ultra, finishing 24th and 33rd, respectively. The podium was swept by Europe's strongest: Italy's Luca Pescollderugg (6:25:18), Canada's Ryan Atkins (6:29:03), and Switzerland's Antoine Freymond (6:35:48). The Philippine delegation to the championship was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, which continues to back the country's rising OCR talent pool. Also part of the team were athlete Ailene Sabal and coaches Thumbie Remigio and Mohammad Sherwin Managil. Obstacle course racing has become one of the Philippines' strongest suits in international competition. The country dominated the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, sweeping all four gold medals at stake—thanks to standout performances from Mark Julius Rodelas, Precious Cabuya, and the men's and women's relay teams. Abahan's latest feat adds another milestone to the Philippines' growing reputation in the world OCR stage, proving that grit, discipline, and high-altitude heart can take Filipino athletes to the summit of global endurance sport. (Alona Cochon)
GMA Network
02-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Pato Gregorio takes oath as PSC chairman
Newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio took his oath of office on Wednesday. Gregorio took his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the PSC said. Present during the ceremony were Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairperson Hilario Paredes and Gregorio's family. Gregorio replaced Richard "Dickie" Bachmann. In partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippines continued to achieve success in the global sporting scene during Bachmann's term. Under Gregorio, the Philippines will also compete in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games this December and will host at least two international events: the FIVB World Championship in September and the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in November. Gregorio previously served as chairman of the PBA during its 40th season and president of the Philippine Rowing Association. — Anna Felicia Bajo/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Jia de Guzman bares Creamline return, but stays focused on Alas Pilipinas
Jia De Guzman shared she is set to return to her mother club Creamline in the PVL after two years of plying her trade abroad with Japanese club Denso Airybees. The decorated setter revealed her plans on Tuesday, just days after helping the country win a historic silver medal in the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup in Vietnam. But De Guzman stressed her focus is on Alas Pilipinas, especially with a busy year ahead for the national team. "Of course I'm going back to Creamline but I went to a team that knows that I have responsibilities also to the flag," De Guzman said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum. "So right now, I'm very grateful because they're allowing me to focus entirely on Alas Pilipinas because they know I have a responsibility to the country." Alas Women are set to compete in a pair of major tournaments. They will return to Vietnam later this month for the VTV Cup before starting to gear up for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in December in Thailand. De Guzman acknowledged the pressure to deliver results but shared they are just trusting the process of making something out of a youthful squad bannered by the likes of young guns in Angel Canino, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Shaina Nitura, and Bella Belen. But De Guzman, an eight-time PVL Best Setter and back-to-back AVC Best Setter, said that that pressure only helps them to aim higher. "There's a lot of pressure to produce more results lalo na ngayon na we're reaching heights that we hadn't reached before," De Guzman said. "For us, 'yung number one talaga is to try trust the process and just keep showing up everyday to be better. But of course, yes, we will fight for that podium finish as we do every tournament naman talaga." Moving forward, De Guzman has full confidence in her teammates' ability to step up as the nation bids to break a 32-year gold medal dry spell at the SEA Games. "I have no doubts sa buong team na walang nagbibigay ng everything nila. That's the environment that we've been setting for the past years. There's no need for me to rally everyone, to try harder, to put more into their bodies, because I know everyone's giving their best." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Snorkels, splashing and strategy - the world of Octopush
Octopush - or Underwater Hockey - was devised more than 70 years ago as a way to keep diving enthusiasts occupied during the winter. It has now grown to accommodate more than 1,800 players and almost 70 registered clubs across the UK, but just what is it? "It's a lot more active, a lot more engaging and a lot more fun than swimming or sitting in a bath, or other forms of being wet," Richard Allum tells me before he adjusts his snorkel and disappears underwater, with a flick of his flippers. Advertisement It's a Friday evening at Archbishop Holgate School in York, and like many sports teams, York Octopush have met for their weekly training session. It might be hard to believe there's any action taking place at first - there's a few ripples on the surface, but little else to see from the poolside. Two metres down, however, it's a different story. Like a shoal of fish, players surge along the bottom of the pool, brandishing small curved sticks in pursuit of a bright pink puck. This is Octopush, also known as underwater hockey; a fast-paced game not unlike it's land-based counterpart, which requires players to hold their breath while they try to score goals against the opposing team. Advertisement The unconventional sport can trace its origins back to Portsmouth in 1954. Alan Blake, founder of the Southsea Sub-Aqua Club, invented the game to keep members active over winter, when conditions made open-water diving an unappealing prospect. The unusual moniker is derived from the original game set-up; eight players - hence the 'octo' - using a small stick or 'pusher' to manoeuvre a puck along the bottom of a pool. "Everyone starts from nothing, because nobody's played before, so it puts you on an even playing field," Steven Whitelock, from York Octopush explains. "It's a team sport where there's room to make your own strategies around your team's strengths and weaknesses, because it's such a fresh environment [for everybody]." Advertisement There are currently 68 underwater hockey clubs registered in the UK and an estimated 1,800 people play every year according to its governing body, the British Octopush Association. While not yet an Olympic sport, it is recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and made its debut at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019. Still, people are constantly surprised by how intense and physically demanding it can be, says York Octopush's chairperson Sam Birt. "Most people expect it to be quite slow-paced but people are always surprised how fast it is, you can flick the puck a couple of metres along the bottom of the pool," he says. Advertisement "It's also excellent fitness. It's a lot more entertaining than swimming lengths if you're a good swimmer." While billed as non-contact, the nature of the game means a certain amount of jostling for position takes place. Protective gear includes gloves, swimming caps and mouth guards, although any flailing elbows are taken in good grace, according to Steven. "There's no hard feelings if it's an accident, we're a friendly bunch. But it doesn't happen very often," he says. The modern game is played between mixed-gender teams of six, in two 15-minute halves [Fiona Callow/BBC] The modern-day game is played between mixed gender teams of six, in two 15-minute halves with five minutes rest in between. Advertisement For many at the training session, this inclusivity is as much part of the appeal as the physical benefits of exercise. "We're not just talking about the binary here but absolutely anybody and everybody and that's really important to me," member Rebecca says. "There's a size diversity in Octopush too. For me, being able to walk into a sport and play with all different body types is fantastic." Now newbies have a chance to try it out for themselves, with a free taster session put on by York Octopush taking place later. The club is eager to recruit new members of all ages and abilities - the only requirements are being a confident swimmer, and owning a costume and a pair of socks. Advertisement The taster session is taking place at Yearsley Swimming Pool between 15:00 - 16:00 BST, where all the kit will provided. "People are always amazed when they see [the sport] for the first time, it's quite unbelievable," Sam adds. "There's no pressure for you to keep coming, but I'd say come along to a session and find out more." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Related internet links More stories like this
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Look Ma, we made it!: Summer Game Fest 2025 to feature nine M'sian-made video games
A total of 46 games from the South-East Asian region will be showcased, with nine games from Malaysian game makers and studios. — Photos: SAMANTHA LOW PETALING JAYA: A touch of Malaysia will be featured on the world stage in the upcoming Summer Game Fest. Nearly a dozen Malaysian-made games will be shown off in the large-scale online event hosted and produced by Geoff Keighley. Keighley is also the executive producer of The Video Games Award, widely touted as the pinnacle of awards showcases for the industry. The presentation, as part of the Southeast Asian Games showcase, will be featured on June 8. Southeast Asian Games showcase co-founder Samantha Low said that having the national gaming scene up and centre on the world stage was a dream come true. Low said that having the national gaming scene up and centre on the world stage was a dream come true. 'I grew up playing a lot of Japanese games such as Final Fantasy VIII, never fathoming that the ability to develop games was right here in my backyard. Our games have soul and you can feel our textured history and our unique lived experience through the art, the story and the gameplay of each of these games," the Kuala Lumpur-born 33-year-old said when contacted by The Star. Her counterpart Arief Johan, 29, said that the showcase was proof that the scene in the region can no longer be ignored. "The industry has grown a lot since satay and roti canai made an appearance in Final Fantasy XV. This showcase is a celebration of games that speak not only to our region but are a testament to the rest of the world that games and developers from Southeast Asia can no longer be overlooked. Arief said that the showcase was proof that the video game scene in the region can no longer be ignored. "I hope the showcase cajoles publishers, platforms, and other partners to take a closer look towards the region and identify even more means to amplify the stunning work local developers are building," he said. A total of 46 games from the region will be showcased, with nine games from Malaysian game makers and studios. Among those slated for the showcase include Am I Nima by Canada-based Ho! Games and Overhours by Sarawak-based Ctrl D Studios. The Southeast Asian Games showcase and the Summer Game Fest as a whole will be broadcast live on YouTube on June 8 (3am Malaysian time) from the YouTube Theater in California.
