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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Eric Cray looks to coaching after final SEA Games appearance

Eric Cray looks to coaching after final SEA Games appearance

Published Dec 24, 2025 11:51 am

At A Glance

  • In an Instagram post, Cray reflected on what he described as his first and final journey with the Philippine national team -- a 12-year run that produced multiple medals and national records.
Eric Cray. (From Eric Cray Instagram)
Eric Cray. (From Eric Cray Instagram)
Olympic hurdler Eric Cray appears to be turning his focus toward coaching following his stint at the recently concluded 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
In an Instagram post, Cray reflected on what he described as his first and final journey with the Philippine national team -- a 12-year run that produced multiple medals and national records.
“First Team July 6, 2013 Asian Athletics Championships India. Last Team December 15, 2025 SEA Games Thailand. I give everything I had and more I’m out,” Cray wrote.
“Coach Cray checking in now,” the added.
At the moment, no specific details have been announced on whether Cray will coach the Philippine team or pursue a coaching career in the United States, where he is currently based. However, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) has expressed openness to the idea of the 37-year-old Filipino-American mentoring the next generation of Filipino hurdlers.
Cray has been dominating the men’s 400m hurdles in the SEAG over the last six editions, but failed to defend his crown this time.
Born in Olongapo before moving to the United States, Cray produced eight gold, one silver and two bronze medals over the six editions that he participated in the SEAG. He has also won a gold medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles in the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships in Buhbaneswar, India, a silver in the men’s 60m in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and a bronze in the men’s 60m 2016 Asian Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar.
His national record of 10.25 seconds in the men’s 100m that he set at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore still stands today. He also holds the PH mark in the men’s 400m hurdles, which he set in the 2016 Meeting de Atletismo Madrid in Spain, while also being part of the 4x100m relay team that reset the national record in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.
He competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics where he made it to the semifinals in the men’s 400m hurdles.
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