The women finals, across six weight categories, and the men's semi-finals were held at the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia. The Thai female boxers secured four gold medals while their biggest rivals, the Filipino athletes collected two final victories in Palembang.
The Philippines' sensational 24-year-old AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist Josie Gabuco defended her Pinweight title after defeating Vietnam's National Champion Trinh Thi Diem Kie.
In the Light Flyweight final the second Filipino gold medal went to Alice Kate Aparri, another fighter to retain her title. The AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist experienced fighter from the Philippines defeated Myanmar's 18-year-old National Champion Nan Thet Htar San, who in her previous contest had eliminated Malaysia's first ever female boxer in an international tournament, Lee Ai Jim.
Thailand's 21-year-old Asian Indoor Games winner Sopida Satumrum won gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in Korat four years ago and secured another for herself in Palembang after winning the Flyweight final against Indonesia's Irene Sasihiang.
One of the top female Thai boxers, Asian Indoor Games winner Peamwilai Laopeam won her third gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games. The experienced Thai Bantamweight fighter triumphed over Philippines' 19-year-old AIBA Women's World Championships quarter-finalist Nesthy Petecio in a hectic final battle.
Thailand's titleholder Tassamelee Thongjan was bronze medallist at the 6th edition of the AIBA Women's World Championships in Bridgetown last year and had the experience to beat Vietnam's future hope, 18-year-old AIBA Women's Youth World Championships silver medallist Luu Thi Duyen in the Featherweight final.
The fourth Thai gold medal was acquired by Asian Games bronze medallist Supaporn Srisondee in the Olympic Lightweight category. The 20-year-old Thai hope was too strong for Vietnam's Asian Indoor Games bronze medallist Ngo Thi Chung. It was another silver medal for Chung following her second place finish at the last edition of the Games in Vientiane.
In the men's semi-finals, Thailand's 26-year-old current Southeast Asian Games Chatchai Butdee advanced to the Flyweight final after beating Myanmar's National Champion teenager Htet Aung. Butdee will look to defend his title. His opponent in the final will be Indonesia's Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist and President's Cup bronze medallist Julio Bria who shocked the Filipino Rey Saludar in the Games. The local favourite unexpectedly eliminated the current Asian Games winner.
Defending Asian Games winner Charlie Suarez secured a first Filipino victory over a Thai fighter in Palembang. The 24-year-old Suarez eliminated Thailand's AIBA World Championships quarter-finalist Sailom Ardee in the Lightweight semi-final. Suarez will now meet Indonesia's 19-year-old Southeast Asian Games silver medallist Matius Mandiangan who stopped Singapore's Ahmad Muhammad Ridhwan.
Copyright © 2010 AIBA http://www.aiba.org