PATAFA to send 48 athletes in Cambodia SEAG
Published Apr 12, 2023 06:16 am
Olympians Eric Cray, EJ Obiena and Kristina Knott banner the 48-player team that will compete in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia next month.
*Fil-American Eric Cray leads the strong cast of the PH athletics team bound for the Cambodia SEAG next month. (File Photo)*
The 34-year-old Cray, who saw action in the 2016 Rio Olympics, hopes to make it to the podium in the 100 meters and the 4x100m relay while Knott, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Games, aims to make an impact when she battles in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. Cray is also out to defend his crown in the 400m hurdles. Tokyo Olympian Obiena, meanwhile, not only aims to retain his SEAG gold medal but also targets to eclipse his SEAG record of 5.46m he set in the previous edition held in Hanoi, Vietnam. Also returning to retain their gold medals are William Morrison in shot put, Clinton Bautista in 110m hurdles and Kayla Richardson in women’s 100m. The country reaped five gold, seven silver and 14 bronze medals in the 31stedition in Vietnam and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is optimistic of the team’s chances this time. “(We’re) hopeful,” said PATAFA secretary general Edward Kho. Among the notable athletes in the lineup are 2021 SEAG silver medalists Mark Harry Diones in triple jump, long jumper Harry Diones, decathlete Aries Toledo, sprinter Kyla Richardson, long-distance runner Christine Hallasgo, and heptathlete Sarah Dequinan. Returning bronze medalists are Alfrence Braza, Sonny Wagdos, Melvin Calano, Joida Gagnao, Robyn Brown, Bernalyn Bejoy, Jelly Dianne Paragile and Maureen Schrijvers. Fil-heritage athletes Angel Frank, Danae Manibog and Lauren Hoffman are also part of the lineup, but Kho said they have still yet to obtain a Philippine passport. Sprinter Umajesty Williams and hurdler John Cabang Tolentino, who made heads turn in last month’s Philippine Athletics Championships in Ilagan, Isabela are also out to prove themselves in their SEAG maiden appearances.
*Fil-American Eric Cray leads the strong cast of the PH athletics team bound for the Cambodia SEAG next month. (File Photo)*
The 34-year-old Cray, who saw action in the 2016 Rio Olympics, hopes to make it to the podium in the 100 meters and the 4x100m relay while Knott, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Games, aims to make an impact when she battles in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. Cray is also out to defend his crown in the 400m hurdles. Tokyo Olympian Obiena, meanwhile, not only aims to retain his SEAG gold medal but also targets to eclipse his SEAG record of 5.46m he set in the previous edition held in Hanoi, Vietnam. Also returning to retain their gold medals are William Morrison in shot put, Clinton Bautista in 110m hurdles and Kayla Richardson in women’s 100m. The country reaped five gold, seven silver and 14 bronze medals in the 31stedition in Vietnam and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is optimistic of the team’s chances this time. “(We’re) hopeful,” said PATAFA secretary general Edward Kho. Among the notable athletes in the lineup are 2021 SEAG silver medalists Mark Harry Diones in triple jump, long jumper Harry Diones, decathlete Aries Toledo, sprinter Kyla Richardson, long-distance runner Christine Hallasgo, and heptathlete Sarah Dequinan. Returning bronze medalists are Alfrence Braza, Sonny Wagdos, Melvin Calano, Joida Gagnao, Robyn Brown, Bernalyn Bejoy, Jelly Dianne Paragile and Maureen Schrijvers. Fil-heritage athletes Angel Frank, Danae Manibog and Lauren Hoffman are also part of the lineup, but Kho said they have still yet to obtain a Philippine passport. Sprinter Umajesty Williams and hurdler John Cabang Tolentino, who made heads turn in last month’s Philippine Athletics Championships in Ilagan, Isabela are also out to prove themselves in their SEAG maiden appearances.