Dequinan takes spotlight, cops her second Ilagan gold
Published Mar 24, 2023 05:54 am
ILAGAN CITY – The Iron Woman displayed a familiar sturdy and robust performance to reign supreme anew.
*Sarah Dequinan jumps for the gold medal in long jump (PATAFA photo)*
National record-holder Sarah Dequinan became the first double-gold medal winner in the open elite category in the ICSTI Philippine Athletics Championship at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here Friday, March 24. Still in cloud nine after copping the heptathlon gold Thursday, March 23, Dequinan ruled the long jump after recording a 5.79 meters, beating Diana Hurano of Bohol (5.54m) and Acbd Agamos of City of Ilagan -National Team (5.30m) who placed second and third, respectively. Interestingly, Dequinan showed no signs of fatigue as she even juggled playing in the two events that were being held simultaneously under the burning heat. She completed her first two jumps and skipped the third to join the javelin throw before returning for her fourth jump to wrap up her long jump event. She was, however, denied of a third gold medal after settling for silver in the javelin throw with a heave of 42.41 meters. Eager to improve more in heptathlon after resetting the Philippine record twice – first in the 2019 SEA Games and the latest in the 2021 biennial meet where she recorded a national best of 5381 points, Dequinan explained that she joined the long jump and javelin throw events to keep her competitive juices flowing. “Better po siya kasi marami po akong kalaban parang nakaka-excite po hindi kagaya kahapon na dalawa lang kami so parang kalaban mo lang yun sarili mo. ngayon po kasi ang saya kasi madami,” said Dequinan. “Hepta po kasi ang main event ko eto po kasi parang enjoyment na lang po, dagdag sa training so alam ko po yung weakness ko so kailangan ko siyang trabahuin ko po,” added the Valencia, Bukidnon native, who ruled the heptathlon event by amassing 5220 points against lone competitor Eng May Xin of Malaysia (4028). Meanwhile, Evalyn Palabrica, who was dropped from the national team despite a bronze medal finish in the last edition of SEA Games, continued to prove her worth after reigning supreme in the javelin throw with 45.92 meters. It was, however, short of the 50.26m she recorded during the PATAFA SEA Games trials that allowed her to get reinstated to the national team. Lanie Carpentero came in third with 40.99m. Also claiming his second gold was Albert Mantua, who ruled men’s discus throw with (48.83). He also finished silver in shot put (16.93m) Umajesty Williams, meanwhile, plucked his second medal after settling for silver in the 200m with a time of 21.40s despite a hamstring injury. In men’s long jump, national athlete John Mike Lera nabbed the gold after recording 7.30m, way ahead silver medalist Ronie Juntilla (5.92m) and bronze winner Primo Lopez (5.89m).
*Sarah Dequinan jumps for the gold medal in long jump (PATAFA photo)*
National record-holder Sarah Dequinan became the first double-gold medal winner in the open elite category in the ICSTI Philippine Athletics Championship at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here Friday, March 24. Still in cloud nine after copping the heptathlon gold Thursday, March 23, Dequinan ruled the long jump after recording a 5.79 meters, beating Diana Hurano of Bohol (5.54m) and Acbd Agamos of City of Ilagan -National Team (5.30m) who placed second and third, respectively. Interestingly, Dequinan showed no signs of fatigue as she even juggled playing in the two events that were being held simultaneously under the burning heat. She completed her first two jumps and skipped the third to join the javelin throw before returning for her fourth jump to wrap up her long jump event. She was, however, denied of a third gold medal after settling for silver in the javelin throw with a heave of 42.41 meters. Eager to improve more in heptathlon after resetting the Philippine record twice – first in the 2019 SEA Games and the latest in the 2021 biennial meet where she recorded a national best of 5381 points, Dequinan explained that she joined the long jump and javelin throw events to keep her competitive juices flowing. “Better po siya kasi marami po akong kalaban parang nakaka-excite po hindi kagaya kahapon na dalawa lang kami so parang kalaban mo lang yun sarili mo. ngayon po kasi ang saya kasi madami,” said Dequinan. “Hepta po kasi ang main event ko eto po kasi parang enjoyment na lang po, dagdag sa training so alam ko po yung weakness ko so kailangan ko siyang trabahuin ko po,” added the Valencia, Bukidnon native, who ruled the heptathlon event by amassing 5220 points against lone competitor Eng May Xin of Malaysia (4028). Meanwhile, Evalyn Palabrica, who was dropped from the national team despite a bronze medal finish in the last edition of SEA Games, continued to prove her worth after reigning supreme in the javelin throw with 45.92 meters. It was, however, short of the 50.26m she recorded during the PATAFA SEA Games trials that allowed her to get reinstated to the national team. Lanie Carpentero came in third with 40.99m. Also claiming his second gold was Albert Mantua, who ruled men’s discus throw with (48.83). He also finished silver in shot put (16.93m) Umajesty Williams, meanwhile, plucked his second medal after settling for silver in the 200m with a time of 21.40s despite a hamstring injury. In men’s long jump, national athlete John Mike Lera nabbed the gold after recording 7.30m, way ahead silver medalist Ronie Juntilla (5.92m) and bronze winner Primo Lopez (5.89m).