"We Win as One”

Colin Adrien Co... February 14th, 2020

Colin at the SEA games with his younger brother, Dylan, who studies fencing with medialist Eric Brando II

The Southeast Asian Games, also known as the SEA Games, are a multi-sport event held every two years. In November and December of 2019, the Philippines hosted the event on the island of Luzon. Participating countries included Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam.

The goal of the regional competition is to promote unity and camaraderie in the countries of Southeast Asia. The 2019 theme was “We Win as One.”

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

The SEA Games were first held in 1959 with just 12 sports represented. Today, there are competitions in 56 sports. New sports in the 2019 competition included kickboxing, skateboarding, underwater hockey, and even eSports (electronic sports).

The Philippines had the highest medal total of any country. “We had a chance to showcase the talent of every Filipino athlete and our world-class facilities,” said Eric Brando II, a bronze medalist in men’s sabre fencing. “Inspiring our young athletes [during the competition] will bring us to a much higher level.” Brando coaches my younger brother, Dylan, in fencing.

The next SEA Games are scheduled to take place in Vietnam, with the opening ceremony set for November 21, 2021.

Photo courtesy of the author

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"We Win as One”