Medina claims gold in SEASA shootfest

Bangkok – Youthful Filipino shooter Frances Nicole Medina scored a big surprise in the ongoing Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) championships by winning the gold medal in the 50-meter women’s rifle prone event here.

A product of the Philippine National Shooting Association’s youth development program, Medina tallied 583 points to subdue Malaysia’s Nur Farrah Taufekh (578) and Nur Ayuni Abdul Halim (576) and give the Philippines its first gold in the prestigious competition.

The Filipinos also bagged four silver medals – two by Shanin Lyn Gonzales in separate individual events and two by the team of Gonzales, Mica Padilla and Alyanna Chuatoco.

Gonzales shot 740.8 points and 550 to finish second in the 25-meter SEASA junior sports pistol SEASA/Thailand Open junior sports pistol tilts.

Malaysia’s Wahida Ismail topped the SEASA junior meet with 752.5 while Thailand’s Chanyanial Kobkultanachai ruled the SEASA/Thailand Open event with 558.

The RP trio of Gonzales, Padilla and Chuatoco copped the silver medals in both SEASA junior and Thailand Open sports pistol competitions.

The Filipinos’ stint here also serves as preparation for their participation in the Laos Southeast Asian Games next month.