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Homegrown athletes, led by Cambodia SEA Games gold medalist Janry Ubas, pulled off stunning performances to overshadow the early rise of Filipino heritage talent on Wednesday at the start of the 2024 ICTSI Philippine National Athletics Open Championship at the Philsports track oval in Pasig City.
Coming off a tough bronze medal finish in the Hong Kong Athletics Championships over the weekend, Ubas topped the men’s long jump at 7.83 meters—just a shade of the National mark of 7.85 he set in last year’s biennial meet in Phenom Phen—likewise improving his chances of making it to the Paris Olympics this year.
The tournament is an Olympic qualifying event as it awarded precious points to Olympic hopefuls.
“May chances pa naman, kaya talagang pinagbubuti ko para sakali baka makahabol pa for Paris Games,” said the 30-year-old pride of Mizamis Oriental.
Ubas also holds the national record in the heptathlon (5,246), set in his bronze medal haul at last year’s Asian Indoor Championship in Kazakhstan. He is currently No.40 in the world ranking. Only the Top 32 qualify for the Paris Games.
University of the East prized thrower Heart Duarte, Elizabeth Sicat from Adamson University, and Daniella Daytana shared the limelight, winning the women’s shot put under-18, women’s javelin under-20, and discus throw, respectively.
Duarte heaved the iron ball at 11.68 meters to beat Ateneo’s Yden Faith Candelario (11.36m) and Masbate’s Courtney Trangia (10.93m).
For her part, Sicat reigned supreme with a heaved of 45.10 meters, while Daynata recorded 43.10 meters.
Filipino-Moroccan runner Yacine Guermali made history as the event’s first gold medalist, beating his rivals in the men’s 5,00 meters.
The 24-year-old Guermali, the national record holder for 1500 meters and 5000 meters events, proved he is a tough nut to crack as he registered 14 minutes and 18.83 seconds in his first tournament in Manila.
He outpaced and outran the field, which included National standout member Sonny Wagdos (1:54.95) and Spectrum Runners’ Noli Torre (15:05), who finished second and third, respectively.
“I have a couple of races left, and I’m going to raise my ranking as the [Olympics] require,” said Guermali.
The Gonzaga University standout, which traces its roots in Nueva Vizcaya, must register at 13:05 minutes to meet the Olympic standard.
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