ILAGAN, Isabela. – Two-time Southeast Asian Game century dash champion Kayla Richardson ran a solid tactical race to rule the women’s 200-meter run Thursday in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the Ilagan Sports Complex here.
Executing her game plan to a T, Richardson held off Malaysian veteran Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli to emerge triumphant with a time of 24. 10 seconds to the latter’s 24.17, while fellow Fil-Am Danae Manibog was third in 24.76.
The bid of Umajesty Williams to complete a golden double was dashed when he strained a hamstring halfway through the men’s 200-meter run, but gutted his way to the silver with a time of 21.40 seconds in the meet organized by the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association.
Williams, who ruled the men’s 400-meter run last Wednesday in his first race carrying the country’s colors, finished just .20 of a second behind gold medalist Taha Hussein Yaseen of Iraq (21.20) while Mohammed Al-Tameemi was third (21.67) in the competition backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“My plan was to push out the blocks really hard, beat everybody to the 100 and just finish strong, and I believe I did that,” said Richardson, the reigning SEA Games women’s 100-meter champion, who won the century dash in the regional sportsfest in her national team debut in 2015 in Singapore.
The win was a huge morale booster to her coming showdown with compatriot Kristina Knott, who decided to skip the 200, in the 100-meter sprint this Saturday.
“I am excited to my meeting with KK (Knott’ nickname). We’re looking forward to it. Racing her is good,” Richardson said.
He father-coach, Jeffrey, admired how her daughter ran, saying she was still trying to shrug off jet lag since arriving from the US last Monday.
“The victory wasn’t as easy as it looks because the race time is about 2 o’clock in the morning in the US,” the elder Richardson explained.
Williams, who was also nursing an injury on his left left Achilles heel, said he felt his hamstring hurt as they were making the last 100 meters of the event.
“I felt my right hamstring pull as we entered the final straight. I just managed to hold on. The Iraqi runner was pretty strong. I think I strained it because we didn’t have enough time to warm up after competing in the 400,” he said.
“I’m happy with the silver but not too happy with the injury. I hope I can recover in time,” said the amiable Fil-Am, who tried to cope with the pain with a wan smile.
