Philippine gymnast John Ivan Cruz secured a shared gold medal in the men's vault at the Southeast Asian Games on December 12, 2025, in Pathum Thani, Thailand, tying with Malaysia's Muhammad Sharul Aimy. This came after he missed the floor exercise final. The win continues the Philippines' streak in the event.
At the Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani, John Ivan Cruz claimed gold in the men's vault, sharing 13.833 points with Malaysia's Muhammad Sharul Aimy. Thailand's Tikumporn Surintornta took bronze with 13.717 points. Cruz was initially awarded silver, but a Philippine score inquiry upgraded it to gold.
In the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, Cruz won his first gold in floor exercise. This time, he placed fifth in floor qualifications but missed the final as only one gymnast per country could advance, with Justine Ace de Leon qualifying as the second-best. “My main target was to be able to defend the gold in floor but this is what God gave us, so I did not waste the chance,” Cruz said in Filipino. “I focused well and rested well for this.”
Thanks to Cruz, the Philippines has now won three consecutive golds in men's vault: Carlos Yulo in 2021, Juancho Miguel Besana in 2023, and now Cruz. Yulo skipped the event due to host restrictions. De Leon added bronzes in floor exercise and still rings. Overall, the Philippines earned six medals in artistic gymnastics, including Aleah Finnegan's gold in women's vault and bronze in balance beam, plus Haylee Garcia's silver in women's uneven bars.
