NEW CLARK CITY – EJ Obiena scored a golden vault and Kristina Knott delivered a record-breaking run as the two anchored Team Philippines’ bid when action in track and field events of the 30th Southeast Asian Games went full blast on Saturday night.
Obiena, who already clinched a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, outclassed four other bets in topping the men’s pole vault with a height of 5.45 meters - a new SEA Games mark - for his first ever gold medal in the biennial meet.
The Filipino broke the record of 5.35 meters set by Porranot Purahong of Thailand two years ago. The former gold winner could only settle for the silver this time.
Knott was just as dominant in ruling the women’s 200-meter run which she won behind a new SEA Games record of 23.01 seconds, resetting the old mark (23.07) she herself set during the qualifying heats early in the morning.
The golden feat provided by the two rising stars of Philippine athletics delighted the weekend homecrowd which trooped at the New Clark City Stadium.
Vietnam’s Chinh Le Tu of Vietnam finished second behind Knott with a time of 23.45 seconds for the silver, while claiming the bronze was Veronica Shanti Pereira of Singapore (23.77).
A far second behind Obiena for the silver was Porranot Purahong of Thailand (5.20) and Iskandar Al Wi (5.00) took home the bronze.
The Filipino tracksters have now won a total of three golds after Kristine Hallasgo ruled the women’s marathon the other day.
The mixed relay team of Reymond Alferos, Robyn Lauren Brown, Maureen Emily Schrivers, and Edgardo Alejan Jr. settled for the bronze in the 4x400-meter mixed relay contest claimed by Vietnam.
The others however, failed to complete a podium finish for the host.
Janry Ubas only finished fifth in the men’s jump (7.62 meters) won by Sapwaturrahman of Indonesia (8.03).
Richard Salano limped home at seventh place in the men’s 10,000-meter run as Kieran Tuntivate of Thailand took the gold.
Veteran and many-time SEA Games gold medal winner Arnel Ferreira tried to turn back the hands of time in men’s hammer throw but settled for just a fifth place finish (57.26). The event was won by Kittipong Boonawan of Thailand who the gold behind a new SEA Games record of 67.56 meters.
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