Southeast Asian Games first-timer Naomi Marjorie Cesar and Bernalyn Bejoy share the limelight after finishing first and third in the women’s 800-meter run in the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday (Dec. 16, 2025). It was a sweep of 800-m event after Hussein Loraña clocked a minute and 48.80 seconds to claim the gold medal in men’s 800 meters against crowd favorite, Thailand’s Joshua Robert Atkinson, who settled for silver. (POC Media Pool photo)
Southeast Asian Games debutant Naomi Marjorie Cesar announced her arrival on the regional stage in thrilling fashion, clinching gold for the Philippines in a heart-stopping photo finish at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at Suphachalasai National Stadium.
The 16-year-old middle-distance runner crossed the line first in the women’s 800 meters with a time of 2:10.2, edging Vietnam’s Thi Thu Ha Nguyen by the slimmest of margins. Nguyen settled for silver at 2:10.3, while fellow Filipino Bernalyn Bejoy capped a memorable race for Team Philippines by securing the bronze with a 2:10.6 finish.
“It was great. I couldn’t ask for a better result. I think I’m kind of shocked, but it’s amazing,” said Cesar, who is competing in her first SEA Games. “It feels amazing. I’m so honored to represent the country. Winning the gold is a dream come true.”
Philippines’ Hussein Loraña bested Joshua Robert Atkinson of host Thailand to win gold in the men’s 800 meters event in the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok. (POC Media Pool photo)
Cesar is the younger sister of Philippine women’s football team member Malea Cesar, and her breakthrough victory immediately positions her as one of the country’s rising stars in athletics.
The Philippines’ golden day on the track continued in the men’s 800 meters, where Hussein Loraña delivered a composed and confident run to top a highly competitive field. Loraña clocked 1:48.80 to beat host nation favorite Joshua Robert Atkinson of Thailand, who finished with a silver-medal time of 1:49.24. Malaysia’s Wan Zahari Wan Muhammad Fazri completed the podium with a 1:49.85 effort.
“Sobrang unexpected po kasi I’m against Southeast Asia’s fastest runners in the 800 and 400 meters,” Loraña said. “Sobrang ’di ko expect na mananalo sa event na ’to.”
With Cesar and Loraña striking gold in the same session, Philippine athletics enjoyed a defining moment at the Bangkok Games, underscoring both the emergence of young talent and the country’s growing competitiveness on the regional track scene.