Karateka snatches gold from jaws of defeat

With President Arroyo watching from the sidelines, Filipino Nelson Pacalso staged a great escape to turn back Vietnamese Nguyen Bao Toan, 5-4, for a golden finish in the men’s kumite -65 kgs. of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games karatedo event at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

However, it was the host country’s only gold medal in the day as the Philippines failed to fulfill its mission with only three golds to show at the conclusion of the three-day karatedo competition yesterday.

Filipino officials earlier predicted a harvest of at least seven of the 18 gold medals at stake in karatedo

"I was in a difficult situation — I did’t want to be put to shame because the President was watching the game. Her presence encouraged me to give everything I’ve got," said Pacalso, a police captain detailed in Camp Crame.

Trailing by three, 1-4, with only 20 seconds left in the three-minute regulation, Pacalso suffered a cut in his left ear from a hard foul by the Vietnamese.

But after being checked by the physician, the spunky Baguio City karateka staged a daring fightback to force a 4-all deadlock.

In the next play, Pacalso converted a reverse punch to the body to snatch victory to the delight of Arroyo and a throng of RP flag-waving fans.

Pacalso said he is very fortunate to win his first, and perhaps his last gold, in the SEA Games before his countrymen. The presence of the country’s Chief Executive was an added bonus.