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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider From almost quitting to winning gold, Delos Santos savors challenging SEAG experience

From almost quitting to winning gold, Delos Santos savors challenging SEAG experience

Published Dec 13, 2025 07:02 am

At A Glance

  • Instead, Delos Santos persevered and displayed unwavering resolve as he powered through all the 10 events to deliver the country's second gold medal in athletics.

BANGKOK —  Miracles happen to those who never give up.

And that exactly rang true for 33rd Southeast Asian Games decathlon gold medalist Hokett Delos Santos who revealed to be close to quitting his bid for the biennial meet due to a nagging groin injury.

Instead, Delos Santos persevered and displayed unwavering resolve as he powered through all the 10 events to deliver the country’s second gold medal in athletics.


"Two months before SEA Games, nagkaroon ako ng strain. Then nagpahinga halos walang ginawa. Kasi, puro weight trainings, sumasakit yung adductor ko," said Delos Santos.


Though he managed to somewhat recover and still play in the UAAP in November, his preparations for the SEA Games took a huge hit after the injury recurred and bothered his training for the pole vault and throwing events.

"Parang noong time na yun, parang gusto ko na mag-quit. Kasi, parang ang hirap yung alam mong capable ka (pero di mo magawa). Kasi, alam ko kasi yung kakayahan ko eh. Kasi, todo ensayo naman kami,” said Delos Santos.

“Sabi ko kay coach, mawala lang yung nararamdaman, lalaban ako,” he added.

National team coach Emerson Obiena, father of pole vaulter EJ Obiena and Delos Santos’ decathlon and pole vault mentor, hailed his decathlete for his fighting spirit.

“Talagang umiiyak na iyan siya noon,” recalled Obiena.

“Matapang si Hokett. Syempre salamat din sa support ng team kasi yun nga  yung PT namin nandiyan para alagaan yung dalawang decathlete natin, of course yung support ng PATAFA sa athlete natin,” he added.

It was actually a come-from-behind win for Delos Santos as he lagged behind after the first five events on the opening day of the decathlon. 

He rallied beginning on the 400-meter run and sustained his momentum to the second day in the 110m hurdles and pet events 400m run and pole vault.

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