Sakura Alforte gave the Philippines its third gold medal after ruling the individual senior female kata event of the 11th Southeast Asian Karate Federation Championships 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, April 26.

The 21-year-old Alforte chalked up 40.3 points and beat Vietnamese Ngoc Tram Nguyen (40.1) in the final round to top her event and add a third mint to the country's haul in the regional meet.

Alforte, a SEAG gold and Asiad bronze medalist, also edged out rivals from Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The national team took its first two gold medals from Sebastian Niel Mañalac and Joan Denise Lumbao, who reigned supreme in their respective events.

Mañalac and Lumbaooutshone their Thai foes in the finals of the cadet male kumite -70kg and junior female kumite -59kg, respectively.

Aside from golden honors, the Filipino jins also reaped 15 bronze medals.

Alwyn Batican, Kirk Zamayla and Jamie Lim, the daughter of late basketball great Samboy, are competing as of presstime.