WHETHER it be local or international meets, Masbate Sports Academy’s Courtney Jewel Trangia and Ana Bhianca Espenilla sustained their winning ways over the weekend, capturing a gold each in the girls’ discus throw and javelin throw, respectively, in the 16th Southeast Asian Under-18 Athletics Championships in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
After winning gold medals in their pet events in last week’s Batang Pinoy National Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Trangia won with a throw of 38.20 meters, while Espenilla threw the javelin to a distance of 49.33 meters in the competition funded by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The throws were lower than the 38.30 meters and 51.17 meters they set in setting new meet records in the BP Nationals.
Marc Angelo Cabiluna finished fourth in the boys’ long jump (6.54) and triple jump (14.04), Emily Balanun placed fifth in the girls’ 400-meter hurdles (1:08.72) and John Clinton Abetong seventh in the boys’ 200-meter run (22.41).
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco said sending the athletes to the Malaysian meet was part of Patafa’s commitment and goal to expose promising local athletes early to international competition so they can further develop their skills.
Meanwhile, two-time Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena inaugurated the first of many privately sponsored pole vault facilities recently in Laoag del Norte in the presence of Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc.
“This is my first attempt to teach our young athletes how to ‘fish’ for medals. I believe in investing in our youth. I believe in the greatness that reside in every Filipino in every corner of the Philippines. Let this be simply the beginning,” Obiena posted on his social media pages after the inauguration.
He said the next one to be opened would be in Tagum, Davao del Norte.
