Jason Baucas studied well on how to perform a suplex against opponents while in Russia.
Suplex is a throw that involves lifting the opponent, and bridging or rolling to slam the opponent on their back.
Being proficient in the suplex after training in Russia for three months helped him win one of two golds for the Philippines in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games wrestling competitions.
“Maganda naman po ang naging resulta nito. Because of hard training, nakakuha po ako ng ginto. At dahil na rin po ito sa sakripisyo ko sa training,” said the 22-year-old Baucas.
Baucas was among the many athletes who were present when Go For Gold held a victory party for athletes that they are supporting at the Acero Hall of the Philippine Marine Barracks in Taguig City.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our athletes here at Go For Gold succeed in international tournaments such as the SEA Games,” said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.
The Philippines put an end to an eight-year gold medal drought following wrestling’s return to the biennial meet. Competition was held at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga.
Baucas, along with Noel Norada clinched golds in the -63kg and -72kg greco roman category by sweeping their respective groups.
In the -72kg division, Baucas edged Vietnam’s Hong Phuc Duong, 11-6, in his last game to secure the first-place finish.
Norada overcame a tough challenge posed by eventual silver medalist Cong Thanh Nguyen, 14-7, in the first match before dispatching opponents from Laos, Thailand and Cambodia on his way to gold.
Four other wrestlers settled for silver after dropping fights against their Vietnamese foes.
Michael Cater went 2-1 in the -55kg division after losing his lone match against first-placer Dinh Huy Nguyen.
Cater later beat bronze winner Myo Ko to grab second.
In the -60kg division, Margarito Angana Jr. bowed in his first match against Tien Hau Bui 8-3 before he went down to Myanmar’s Wana Tun (silver winner) and two other foes to climb the podium.