(UPDATED) Hokett Delos Santos bucked a less than ideal build-up to win the gold medal in men's decathlon in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, Friday night in Bangkok, Thailand.
Delos Santos, a UAAP champion with the University of Santo Tomas, endured an injury-hit preparation leading up to the SEA Games.
He showed tremendous grit in Day 2 of the decathlon to eventually finish with 6917 points -- good enough for the gold. His performance was highlighted by a clocking of 4:52.22 in the 1,500-meters.
"Mind over matter," said Delos Santos, who revealed afterward that he could not train for two months due to a groin injury, and only trained a week before the SEA Games.
"Ang goal namin ni coach [Emerson Obiena] is to reach 7000 [points]," he explained. "Sabi ko, 'tingnan natin, coach.' Ang hirap kasi 'pag hindi ka nakapag-ensayo ng maayos."
Delos Santos also graded his own performance as "average." "Wala akong na-hit na new personal best," he said. "[Pero] grateful pa rin."
In second place was home bet Singkhon Suttisak (6649), followed by Indonesia's Richsan Idan Fauzan (6582).
Janry Ubas, who was running second to Delos Santos earlier in the day, wound up missing the podium with 6573 points for fourth place.
READ: Delos Santos takes slight lead over Ubas in men's decathlon
Meanwhile, Leonard Grospe added another bronze medal in the men's high jump with a leap of 2.19, also a personal best.
Grospe, who was tied with Kampton Kam of Singapore, lost the silver via countback.
Tawan Kaeodam of Thailand captured the gold medal with a leap of 2.22.