Push it to the Limit: Southeast Asian Games Kick Off in Philippines 09 Dec 2019, 16:00 The Olympic Games might be the biggest multi-disciplinary sporting event in the world, but regional contests can show us an unparalleled level of mastery, as we witness athletes doing their best and achieving new heights.
The Southeast Asian Games, which were launched back in 1959, currently involve participants from 11 countries in the region - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam.
There are 530 various events with over 5,500 athletes competing in 63 disciplines in Manila and other cities across the Philippines, this year's host country.
Vietnamese gymnast Nguyen Ha My performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila. © REUTERS / Feline Lim Athletes compete in the men's 50m butterfly at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in the town of Capas. © AFP 2019 / Wakil Kohsar The Vietnamese team delegate holds a flag during the opening ceremony of the 30th South East Asian Games at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan Province. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila Malaysian gymnast Koi Sei Yan performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. © REUTERS / Soe Zeya Tun The crowd reacts as the Philippines team walks during the opening ceremony in Bulacan Province in the northern Philippines. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila Thai and Vietnamese athletes fight during the fencing team sabre final at the World Trade Center in Pasay, Philippines. © REUTERS / Eloisa Lopez Spectators are illuminated by stage lights as gamers from Malaysia and Vietnam compete in the qualifying rounds of the eSports event at the SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) in Manila on 5 December 2019. © AFP 2019 / Ted Aljibe Thai athlete Tarrah Prayoonsuk performs on the uneven bars during the women's artistic gymnastics competition. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila Philippines team supporters greet Jedah Mae Soriano after defeating Myanmar's Maw Maw Oo during their women's featherweight +50kg-55kg padded stick competition final match. © AP Photo / Tatan Syuflana Malaysian diver Ng Yan Yee leaps into the water during the women's 3m springboard final. <br /> © REUTERS / Athit Perawongmetha Philippines Mike Banares (dressed in blue armour) competes against Vietnamese Thai Viet Phu (in red armour) during their men's welterweight +65kg final arnis match. Banares managed to defeat his opponent and won gold.<br /><br /> © AP Photo / Tatan Syuflana Vietnamese gymnast Ngo Hai Yen performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.<br /> © REUTERS / Soe Zeya Tun Indonesian players celebrate after winning gold at the badminton men's team event. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila Vietnamese fencer Nguyen Van Quyet shouts after scoring a point against Thailand's Kitsiriboon Soravit during the men's team sabre fencing finals. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila Malaysian athlete Farah Ann Abdul Hadi performs on the balance beam during the women's artistic gymnastics competition. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila Jing En Phee (back centre) from Malaysia celebrates next to Jenjira Srisa ( bottom left) from Thailand and Anadia Evato (bottom right) from Indonesia after winning the women's 50m breaststroke. © AFP 2019 / Ted Aljibe Indonesian gymnast Mercilita Thalia performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila. © REUTERS / Feline Lim Vietnamese players bite their gold medals as they pose after winning the men's team sabre fencing finals against Thailand, with a score of 45-39. © AP Photo / Aaron Favila 
