Leonard Grospe made his title campaign felt at the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships on Saturday, Feb. 11, after a record-breaking performance in men’s high jump qualifications in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan.
The Mapua University standout leapt 2.14 meters on his second attempt to advance to the finals, eclipsing the national indoor mark of 2.09m made by Tyler Ruiz in Naperville, United States in 2014.
His successful attempts were at 2.00m, 2.05m and 2.10m.
Also advancing to the medal round with similar 2.14m were Sarvesh Anil Kushare of India, Wang Zhen of China, Ryoichi Akamatsu and Yuto Seko of Japan, Majd Eddin Ghazal of Syria, Wong Sanghyeok of South Korea, Sharoz Khan of Pakistan and Fatak Bait Jaboob of Oman.
Grospe has a chance of further breaking his new national record in the finals being held at press time.
Meanwhile, long jumper Janry Ubas failed to advance to the eight-player final after finishing 10th in the qualifications with 7.42m.
The Southeast Asian Games silver medalist, however, is competing in heptathlon at press time where he currently leads after four events with a slim margin.
Ubas currently registers 3190 points after the 60m, long jump, shot put and high jump events ahead of closest pursuer Yuma Maruyama of Japan with 3186.
They are still competing in the 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1000m.
Fil-American Olympian Eric Cray, however, failed to finish the men’s 400m heats following a minor strain in his groin muscles during the race.
“He came strong from the starting blocks, his acceleration intensified on the descent from the embankment curve. At that point, he slowed down abruptly as he felt he strained his groin muscles,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) secretary general Edward Kho, who were accompanying the small PH contingent.
Doctors advised a two-day rest for Cray, which made him miss the 60m hurdles qualification.
John Cabang, who was also competing in the 60m hurdles, however, failed to progress after finishing 10th in the heats with a time of 7.96 seconds.