Strong Opening as SEA Games Boxing Competition Begins in Thailand

The boxing competition at the 33rd SEA Games opened this afternoon with eight bouts that delivered intensity, dominance and standout performances across the Women’s Light Flyweight division and the Men’s Featherweight and Welterweight categories. Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia all recorded early wins as the tournament officially entered its first competitive session.

The opening bout of the Games saw Thailand secure the first victory of the competition. Thipsatcha Yodwaree delivered a decisive performance against Domingas Araujo Barros of Timor Leste. The referee stopped the contest in the first round at two minutes twenty seconds after Yodwaree’s pressure and accuracy overwhelmed her opponent. It marked a confident start for the Thai boxing team on home soil.

Vietnam followed with its first win of the day in Bout 2 as Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi outpointed Indonesia’s Tomatala Merlin. Ngo controlled the exchanges with cleaner scoring and ring dominance, earning a four to one decision from the judges.

Bout 3 saw the Philippines claim its first victory of the session. Ofelia Magno defeated Myanmar’s Aye Nyein Htoo through a composed and technically disciplined performance. She secured a four to one win on points after consistently landing the clearer blows across the rounds.

The Men’s Featherweight class delivered four successive bouts, beginning with Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Duong who gave a sharp and controlled display against Timor Leste’s Grigorio De Jesus. Nguyen secured a unanimous five to zero victory by keeping the pace high and landing accurately throughout the contest.

Indonesia continued the momentum with a strong win from Jill Mandagie in Bout 5. He outboxed Myanmar’s Min Ko Ko with confidence and maintained control from the opening bell until the final scorecards, which all read in his favour.

Thailand registered another victory in Bout 6 as Sarawut Sukthet defeated the Philippines’ Ian Clark Bautista. Sukthet’s consistent forward pressure and clean punching resulted in a unanimous five to zero decision, giving Thailand its second triumph of the afternoon session.

Malaysia entered the winners’ column in Bout 7 after a powerful performance from Muhammad Rasdenal Haikal. He forced a referee stoppage in Round 3 at two minutes fifteen seconds against Laos’ Khammy Souliya. Haikal’s strength and accuracy accumulated throughout the bout, leaving no doubt as the referee stepped in to end the contest.

The final bout of the session featured the Men’s Welterweight division. Mark Ashley Fajardo of the Philippines delivered a composed and confident performance to defeat Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Ngoc. Fajardo secured a unanimous five to zero decision after outscoring his opponent in every round and finishing the session on a strong note for his team.

With Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia all registering early victories, the competition is already showing signs of intensity and high technical level. The tournament continues this week as athletes advance toward the medal stages.