PHNOM PENH—Jason Balabal grappled with Keo Sophak and endured the jeers of the hometown crowd before snaring the gold medal at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. The veteran wrestler from Ifugao floored the Cambodian, 4-0, to rule the Greco-Roman 87kg event, more than a decade after reaching the top of the medal podium again in the sport at these Games. Balabal, best remembered as flag-bearer during the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar in his Igorot outfit, finished third in the 97kg of the freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines in Hanoi, Vietnam last year.

https://sports.inquirer.net/510225/sea-games-2023-jason-balabal-whips-home-bet-for-gold-in-greco-roman-wrestling

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