Like father, like daughters

CHONBURI – All Hail, Miss Cesar, Teen Queen.

Sixteen-year-old Naomi Marjorie Cesar galloped to history at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, dislodging 2023 women’s 800-meter run champion and hot favorite Nguy?n Th? Thu Hà of Vietnam from the throne.

This makes the youth standout the youngest Philippine athlete to ever win the SEAG gold in athletics.

“It was great, couldn’t ask for a better result,” said Cesar, a second-generation athlete whose father Ben competed at the Games in the 1990s and whose elder sister Malea is with the celebrated Filipinas football team.

Cesar almost fell over at the turn but recovered and made a gutsy kick from the 200-meter mark, stunning the Vietnamese champion.

She  kept her blistering pace and reached home in 2:10.2 ahead of Nguyen (2:10.3).

Compatriot Bernalyn Bejoy (2:10.6) joined Cesar at the podium. They shared a big hug upon crossing the finish line with Cesar visibly shocked, taking some time soaking it in.

“I think I’m still kinda in shock, mixed emotion. Got tripped up a little going to the second lap but did my best to get back,” she said.