Veteran Filipino runner Sonny Wagdos has once again proven his mettle on the regional stage, securing a bronze medal in the men's 5000-meter event at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. The former Davao City standout delivered a gutsy performance on Saturday night, December 13, 2025, adding another prized piece of hardware to his impressive collection.
A Tactical Battle on the Track
The race at the Happy and Healthy Bike Lane was a classic display of tactical middle-distance running. The pack stayed tightly bunched for much of the contest, with athletes carefully monitoring each other's moves. Wagdos clocked a time of 14 minutes and 48.01 seconds to clinch third place.
The gold medal went to Thailand's Kieran Tuntivate, who finished in 14:46.38. Wagdos was edged out for silver by his compatriot, Yacine Guermali, who posted a time of 14:47.33, making it a successful night for the Philippine team with two podium finishes.
Wagdos Reflects on a Nerve-Wracking Race
In an interview with SunStar Davao, Wagdos admitted to feeling intense pressure during the closely-fought contest. He described the field as exceptionally strong and noted his own position as the elder statesman among the competitors.
"Grabe gyud kaayo ang kulba," Wagdos shared, highlighting the nerves as the runners remained in a tight bunch until the final lap. "Ako pa gyud ang pinakatiguwang sa line-up." While his time was slower than his personal best of 14:34, the 32-year-old emphasized that strategic racing took precedence over pure speed in such a championship setting.
A Consistent SEA Games Performer
This latest achievement reinforces Sonny Wagdos's status as one of the Philippines' most consistent track athletes in the regional games. His SEA Games medal haul is a testament to his longevity and skill:
- Bronze medal (2019) - Philippines
- Bronze medal (2021) - Vietnam
- Silver medal (2023) - Cambodia
- Bronze medal (2025) - Thailand
Born in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Wagdos first honed his talent as a varsity scholar at the University of Mindanao in Davao City.
The seasoned runner is not done yet in Bangkok. Wagdos is set to return to the track for the men's 10,000-meter event on Tuesday, December 16, at 7 p.m. Philippine time. While acknowledging the 5000m as his primary event, he remains cautiously optimistic about his chances for another podium finish.
"Dili ko kaingon sa 10K," Wagdos stated. "Pero murag kaya i-podium." Filipino sports fans will be eagerly watching to see if this Davao-born athlete can add one more medal to his storied SEA Games career.
