EDUARD Josh Buenavista clinched a silver medal in the 2000m steeplechase on Tuesday, so far the best performance of the Philippines in the Children of Asia International Games in Yakutsk, Russia.
The eldest son of Olympian Eduardo ‘`Vertek’’ Buenavista checked in ahead of his taller rivals from Kazakhstan, Yemen, and three entries from Russia in finishing behind gold medalist Ivan Arzhakov of Siberia.
Buenavista let the Siberian runner cut loose from the start, but made sure to keep the pace in the chase group until the final lap of the race held at the Tuymada Stadium.
On his first international race, the exploits of the 14-year-old from University of Baguio topped his gold-medal performance in the 5000m of the Batang Pinoy Games.
Buenavista has set a higher bar in his next race as the Grade 9 student seeks the gold in the 3000m Wednesday.
Sprinter Samantha Limos, who pocketed a bronze in the 100m dash, will see action in the 200m meters, as well as male sprinter Veruel Verdadero of Dasmarinas, Cavite.
The Philippines improved to one silver and two bronze medals among 43 competing nations in the meet featuring the best 16-year-old and below athletes from Asia and Russia.
Siberia continues to hold the overall leadership with 32 golds, followed by Kazakhstan (14 golds), and Sakha Republic with nine golds.
Southeast Asian neighbors Vietnam is running 10th overall with five gold medals, Indonesia 16th with one gold and two silvers, and Thailand 18th with one gold and one silver.
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