PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Winning an unprecedented sixth Southeast Asian Games gold medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles feels like a good omen for Eric Cray as he sets his sights on future elite tournaments.
*Eric Cray wants to join more elite tournaments. (PSC/SEAG media pool)*
The 34-year-old Cray said he is looking forward to the Asian Championships scheduled in July in Thailand, as well as the Asian Games in China in September.
“I’m feeling good,” said Cray, who ruled the event in the 32nd edition with a time of 50.03 seconds.
“I had an injury in the Asian Indoor Championships. It’s definitely a concern coming in – I had to pull out of the relays – but I’m feeling good. We changed my training to get ready for the Asian Championships and the Asian Games so I’m right on pace,” he added.
Cray was referring to his sports hernia injury, which has been lingering for the last couple of months. He had to work on it during training by getting a lot of massages.
The Texas-based trackster was also grateful of the hot and humid weather at the Morodok Techo National Stadium because it helped him deal with the pain he was feeling prior and during the race.
“I’m hoping to run a little faster, but (at least) I got out healthy. A little bit of pain, but I’m ready to move forward this season,” he added.
A gold medalist in the 2017 Asian Championships that ended the country’s eight-year gold drought, Cray said he would use the tournament as well as the Asian Games as his springboard to qualify to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I hope to be there along with EJ (Obiena) and contend for the medal. I’m still not 100 percent but I’m looking forward to Paris,” said Cray, who made it to the semifinal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
*Eric Cray wants to join more elite tournaments. (PSC/SEAG media pool)*
The 34-year-old Cray said he is looking forward to the Asian Championships scheduled in July in Thailand, as well as the Asian Games in China in September.
“I’m feeling good,” said Cray, who ruled the event in the 32nd edition with a time of 50.03 seconds.
“I had an injury in the Asian Indoor Championships. It’s definitely a concern coming in – I had to pull out of the relays – but I’m feeling good. We changed my training to get ready for the Asian Championships and the Asian Games so I’m right on pace,” he added.
Cray was referring to his sports hernia injury, which has been lingering for the last couple of months. He had to work on it during training by getting a lot of massages.
The Texas-based trackster was also grateful of the hot and humid weather at the Morodok Techo National Stadium because it helped him deal with the pain he was feeling prior and during the race.
“I’m hoping to run a little faster, but (at least) I got out healthy. A little bit of pain, but I’m ready to move forward this season,” he added.
A gold medalist in the 2017 Asian Championships that ended the country’s eight-year gold drought, Cray said he would use the tournament as well as the Asian Games as his springboard to qualify to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I hope to be there along with EJ (Obiena) and contend for the medal. I’m still not 100 percent but I’m looking forward to Paris,” said Cray, who made it to the semifinal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.