At A Glance
- Gabriel Thomas Dinette made a big statement in the recent 33rd Southeast Asian Games as he led eight other medalists from the Philippine wrestling team in Thailand recently.
Gabriel Thomas Dinette (red uniform) in action during 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.
Gabriel Thomas Dinette made a big statement in the recent 33rd Southeast Asian Games as he led eight other medalists from the Philippine wrestling team in Thailand recently.
Dinette won via walkover after his Vietnamese opponent Van Truong Vu Tran sustained an injury to take home the 86-kilogram crown of men’s freestyle event at the Pacific Hall inside the Pacific Park Si Racha in Chonburi province.
Dinette’s victory was highlighted by his great technical superiority in all of his matches, including against Thai Chiranuwat Chamnanjan and Singapore’s Weng Luen Gary Chow.
“I thank God for the strength and all who have supported me in this journey,” Dinette said as he basked in triumph in Thailand.
Aside from Dinette, the Philippine wrestling team also bagged four silvers and four bronzes in the biennial meet.
They were Hayden Ancheta (freestyle, seniors -57 kgs), Ronil Tubog (freestyle, seniors -65 kgs), Aliah Rose Gavalez (women's wrestling, seniors -50 kgs) and Ax Arian Geralin Carpio (women's wrestling, seniors -62 kgs).
Four other Philippine bets managed to take home bronze medals in Rea Grace Cervantes (women's wrestling, seniors -53 kgs), Jason Baucas (Greco-Roman, seniors -77 kgs), Andre Dragani (freestyle, seniors -74 kgs), and Callum Roberts (Greco-Roman, seniors -97 kgs).
For WAP president Alvin Aguilar, there was indeed a lesson to learn from the campaign.
“We won nine medals, with one gold, and that is something to cheer about,” Aguilar said. “I am beyond proud of our young athletes' incredible performance at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. With 11 entries, including nine first-timers, they brought home a total of nine medals: one gold, four silvers, and four Bronzes.”
“It makes us strive for more to be able to win as many medals as possible in the future. Proud moment for the Philippine wrestling team,” Aguilar added.