December 13, 2025

'Golden girl' Kayla Sanchez swims way to another SEA Games 2025 victory in 100m backstroke

Olympian Kaya Sanchez is now the Philippines’ most decorated athlete at the SEA Games 2025, having already claimed five medals already. | Photo: POC Media Pool

Another golden day for Kaya Sanchez as the Olympian swimmer continued her standout performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, claiming the gold medal from women’s 100m backstroke on Saturday, December 13.

Just a day after winning the 100m freestyle, the 24-year-old touched the wall at 1:02.35 to win first place, narrowly edging Indonesia’s Mia Millar (1:02.52) and Flairene Candrea (1:02.60).

The victory marked Sanchez’s third gold medal at the SEA Games 2025, adding to her 4x100m freestyle relay triumph. She also has two silver medals in the 50m backstroke and 200m freestyle.

Sanchez's medal haul makes her the most decorated Philippine athlete in the ongoing SEA Games.

As of Saturday, the Philippine swimming team have contributed eight medals to the country’s overall tally in the biennial event.

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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.

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