PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Jamie Danielle Nirza delivered a golden performance in women’s karate, while swimmers Philip Sahagun and Quendy Fernandez took center stage in the 11th BIMP-EAGA Friendly Games’ final day on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Representing the country’s Team A, the 18-year-old Nirza showcased exceptional skill, earning 36.5 points from the judges to secure the advanced women’s individual kata gold. She narrowly edged Malaysia A’s Anisa Aira Nur, who garnered 36.2 points for silver, while Malaysia B’s Ameera Liew and Brunei’s Nasir Abdul settled for bronze.

“I’m happy to achieve such a feat, and I worked hard for this one. I’m glad na I was able to perform the way I wanted, and I’m happy for my teammates that we’re able to perform [well],” said Nirza, a first-year nursing student at Jose Maria College.

“I practiced na po, and when I perform, I go there with my very best. I just feel honored and blessed to bring something that our country can be proud of,” she added.

Nirza also teamed up with Yesha Lee Ho and Al Rhina Kawano to claim the women’s team kata silver after tallying 34.6 points. In the men’s individual kata, Arvin Santillana settled for silver with 36 points.

Meanwhile, Sahagun dominated the boys’ 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:14.38 and contributed to PH Team A’s victory in the 4x100m medley relay, bringing his total gold medal haul to five.

“Goal ko talaga na mapasama sa national team and represent our country sa international competitions,” Sahagun said.

Fernandez added two more medals to her collection, including a gold in the girls’ 200m backstroke and a silver in the 4x100m medley relay, finishing her campaign with five gold and two silver medals.

In archery, PH Team E’s Nathaniel Carlos claimed the men’s individual recurve title, defeating his Malaysian rivals with six points, while PH Team B’s Yvonne Forcado won the women’s crown.

In athletics, Milchay Moreno led PH Team A to victory in the 4x400m women’s relay, clocking in at 4:09.51 ahead of Malaysia (4:19.73) and PH Team D (4:34.16).

In badminton, PH Team A’s Klea Montanez secured the women’s singles gold, while Malcolm Mag-Aso and Andre Alexis Macalalag triumphed in mixed doubles. PH Team B’s Regina Bayudang and Khrystn Valdez clinched the women’s doubles title.

As of 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, PH Team A topped the medal tally with 12 golds, 17 silvers, and 18 bronzes, followed by Malaysia B (8-8-4), PH Team E (7-3-2), Indonesia (4-4-3), PH Team B (3-1-4), PH Team D (1-1-2), and Brunei (0-0-1).

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