PHNOM PENH – It was not a day for the faint-hearted at the Cambodia SEA Games, as drama unfolded on the athletics race track before moving to the swimming pool, and even into the virtual world on Wednesday.

More than three hours after the men’s 110m hurdles final, Singapore’s Ang Chen Xiang could finally call himself a SEA Games champion – after his silver medal was upgraded to joint gold alongside Thailand’s Natthaphon Dansungnoen.

The ruling came after Singapore Athletics (SA) filed a protest over the initial result, which was rejected. It then appealed to the jury which, after 45 minutes of deliberation, decided to award both runners the top prize.

The reason, explained team manager Shalindran Sathiyanesan, was that there were two cameras used for the photo finish, but it was difficult to confirm who had crossed the line first because of their torso positions at the end. The two pictures from different angles showed a different winner.

With the victory, Ang became Singapore’s first champion in this event in 56 years after Osman Merican’s win in 14.9sec at the 1967 Bangkok Games.

Confusion had reigned in the stadium 10 minutes after the race at 4.15pm. Photographers were checking their cameras, journalists staring at videos of the race on their phones, Ang himself shrugging his shoulders but sporting a wide grin.

The naked eye could not separate him, Natthaphon and John Cabang of the Philippines. Eventually, the big screen at the Morodok Techo National Stadium flashed the results. Natthaphon was first in 13.832sec, 0.002sec ahead of Ang (13.834). Cabang was third, almost a lifetime back in 13.855 on such margins.

The updated timings later at night listed Ang and Natthaphon, who have been training partners for the past six weeks in Thailand and have formed a friendship, as an identical 13.831.

For Ang, 28, the gold was welcomed but not all that mattered.

He said: “I’m very happy, I don’t deny that. But, like I said earlier (after he thought he finished second), what’s more important is the personal best and the improvement in timing.”

This new mark is his 12th national record, lowering the 13.89 he set at the Singapore Open Track and Field Championships in April. 

While Natthaphon, 25, was an anxious mess in the aftermath of the race – “I thought I lost and was very upset and depressed”, he told The Straits Times – Ang, runner-up a year ago at the Hanoi Games, was a picture of calm.

There was no bitterness, only belief emanating from the Singaporean. He said then: “I can only control my own timings, my personal improvements, my own race. I can’t control what other athletes, other countries do.

“I knew I did a good time, so I was happy. Of course, if I got the gold, it would be the cherry on top of the cake. But have the cake first and we’ll talk about cherries later.”

He remained the same even after the dramatic and surreal turn of events. The news of his medal upgrade was sent to one of his WhatsApp groups, but he was speaking with Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong and did not see the message.

Instead, his younger brother Ding Hui, who was next to him and saw the notification, shouted in celebration.

“From happy, I’ve become happier, that’s the best way to put it,” said Ang.

Did he think his brother was pulling his leg, though? “No, no, he doesn’t joke.”

Because of the protest, the victory ceremony has been pushed back to Thursday afternoon.

Ang will receive his medal from the top of the podium and said it will be a special moment.

He added: “I’m sure it’ll be a great feeling, especially to hear Majulah Singapura. It’ll be my first time ever experiencing that and I’m looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Singapore also notched a bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay on Wednesday.

The youthful quartet comprising Marc Louis, Joshua Chua, Mark Lee and Xander Ho shared the spoils with Malaysia after both teams completed the race in 39.36.

Indonesia won in 39.11, while Thailand (39.13) took the silver.

The drama continued in the swimming pool, as defending champion Teong Tzen Wei was beaten by 20-year-old Mikkel Lee in the 50m butterfly – his second defeat by a younger teammate at these Games.

Lee went on to win a second gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay later in the evening, as Singapore claimed a total of five golds on the penultimate day of the swimming competition.

Over at the Olympia Mall, Singapore’s Valorant e-sports team were leading 1-0 against Indonesia in the mixed-team final of the first-person shooter game when play was suspended owing to a dispute. The latter had filed a complaint alleging that Singapore had used a bug which allowed them to see their rivals’ positions. Deliberations were still ongoing at press time.