AT A GLANCE
CAPAS, Tarlac – After four grueling days of tough and thrilling competitions under the unpredictable weather conditions – from the sweltering morning heat to at times, rainy evenings yet muggy atmosphere – focus is now shifting to the much-bigger goal for the national athletes and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).
CAPAS, Tarlac – After four grueling days of tough and thrilling competitions under the unpredictable weather conditions – from the sweltering morning heat to at times, rainy evenings yet muggy atmosphere – focus is now shifting to the much-bigger goal for the national athletes and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).
And that is to put up a better performance than the last time in the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea on May 27 to 31.
Talking to members of the press during the Philippine Athletics Championships at the New Clark City Stadium here, PATAFA secretary-general Jasper Tanhueco expressed optimism to the national team’s chance of surpassing the country’s two-gold medal haul in the last edition.
“We’re positive. We have several guys that could definitely win medals for us. We are positive that we can deliver a great performance,” said Tanhueco, who projects that the country will have at least 15, maximum 20 athletes in its delegation for the continental trackfest.
"We are expecting hopefully six medals out of the 15,” he added as his bold prediction for the country’s medal haul with Asian champions pole vaulter EJ Obiena and hurdler Robyn Brown expected to defend their crown from the last edition in Bangkok, Thailand in 2023.
Others expected to banner the national team are Olympians Kristina Knott, Lauren Hoffman and John Tolentino Cabang.
Also hoping to make the cut are Hokket Delos Santos and Janry Ubas for decathlon, Ronnie Malipay in triple jump, William Morrison in shot put and Alyana Nicolas, who almost hit the qualifying mark for the Asian Championships during her gold medal performance in the women’s pole vault in the final day of the National Open.
Nicolas cleared 4.00 meters to bag the gold but failed in her three tries at 4.10m which should be sufficient to secure her a spot in the delegation for the Asian champs.
“I’m definitely confident that I can get it. I just took a lot of jumps today and also getting used to the heat and the humidity but I’m pretty proud of myself today,” said Nicolas who revealed it was her first time jumping over four meters since 2019.
“I think I can get the national record to tell you the truth if I can skid into the pole that I needed to jump on,” she added.
Placing second was aspiring national team member Amy Christensen of the FilAm Sports after clearing 3.75 meters.
Also boosting his bid for Asian champs inclusion was Hussein Lorana who bagged his second National Open gold after ruling the men’s 800m race while Susan Ramadan claimed the gold on distaff side.
Failing to clinch the gold, however, was national team mainstay Leonard Grospe. Still groping for form after a bone spur surgery on the left knee, he finished with a silver with a jump of 2.12m.
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