Push it to the Limit: Southeast Asian Games Kick Off in Philippines

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.

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Vietnamese gymnast Nguyen Ha My performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila.

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Athletes compete in the men's 50m butterfly at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in the town of Capas.

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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.

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Malaysian gymnast Koi Sei Yan performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

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The crowd reacts as the Philippines team walks during the opening ceremony in Bulacan Province in the northern Philippines.

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Thai and Vietnamese athletes fight during the fencing team sabre final at the World Trade Center in Pasay, Philippines.

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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.

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Thai athlete Tarrah Prayoonsuk performs on the uneven bars during the women's artistic gymnastics competition.

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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.

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Malaysian diver Ng Yan Yee leaps into the water during the women's 3m springboard final.

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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.

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Vietnamese gymnast Ngo Hai Yen performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

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Indonesian players celebrate after winning gold at the badminton men's team event.

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Vietnamese fencer Nguyen Van Quyet shouts after scoring a point against Thailand's Kitsiriboon Soravit during the men's team sabre fencing finals.

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Malaysian athlete Farah Ann Abdul Hadi performs on the balance beam during the women's artistic gymnastics competition.

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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.

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Indonesian gymnast Mercilita Thalia performs during her qualification round at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila.

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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.