MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines emerged as the back-to-back best Southeast Asian nation at the just concluded Paris Olympics.

With a 22-athlete delegation, the country managed to post its best finish in 100 years of participating in the Games, claiming two golds and two bronzes for joint 37th place.

In Tokyo, the Philippines posted a 1-2-1 gold-silver-bronze haul highlighted by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz winning the country's first-ever Olympic gold.

This is the first time that the Philippines won multiple medals in two consecutive Olympic editions.

In Paris, Carlos Yulo ruled the floor exercise and vault competitions in the men's artistic gymnastics to deliver the two gold medals.

Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas then bagged a bronze medal each for reaching the semifinals of the women's 57kg and 50kg classes, respectively.

At joint 39th, Indonesia also bagged two gold medals in Paris but second only to the Philippines with just one bronze only.

Thailand, at joint 44th place, won the most medals with six but ranked just third in Southeast Asia with one gold medal on top of three silvers and two bronzes.

Malaysia, joint 80th overall, placed fourth with two bronze medals while Singapore, joint 84th, finished fifth best in Southeast Asia with one bronze.

Heroes parade

Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas as well as the other Filipino Olympians are set for a heroes parade on Wednesday.

The Filipino Olympians arrive from Paris on Tuesday afternoon, August 13 at the Villamor Airbase and will proceed to the Malacañang Palace, where President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. meets the Olympians as they are expected to be feted and granted incentives by the country's top official.

Read The Rest at :