Shaharuddin, who is from Sitiawan, Perak, was remembered as Malaysia's first cycling gold medallist when he won the 800m mass start race at the 1965 SEAP Games, now known as the SEA Games.

Then it was all systems go as the fresh-faced 18-year-old put up a record-breaking performance in the 400m freestyle to claim his first SEA Games swimming gold medal at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.

"It will be my first SEA Games representing the Philippines and I'm so excited," said Sanchez, a Tokyo Olympics team event medalist (silver, bronze) for Canada. She switched federations two years ago.

Rafael Andrew Agtarap and strength and conditioning coach Gab De Guzman are both optimistic about the Filipinos’ shot at a first SEA Games medal in handball after the men’s team copping bagged ...