CAPAS, TARLAC – Host Philippines took a double scoop of gold medals on the second day of Athletics of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City Saturday. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena and sprinter Kristina Knott also managed to set new records in the process and keep the Philippines in contention for the overall title in the centerpiece event.
Obiena cleared 5.45 meters for a new SEA Games record. He was already assured of the gold after Thailand’s Porranot Purahong, the previous record holder, could only do 5.20 for the silver. Iskandar Alwi of Indonesia took the bronze at 5.00 while the other Filipino entry Hokett delos Santos finished fifth and last at 4.60.
Knott was simply blazing on the track as she clocked 23.01 seconds to rule the Women’s 200 meter to set another new SEA Games record. Placing second was Le Tu Chinh of Vietnam at 23.45 followed by Veronica Shanti Perreira of Singapore at 23.77.
The Philippines then added a bronze on the day’s final event, the 4 X 400-meter Mixed Relay, with the quartet of Reymond Alferos, Robyn Lauren Brown, Maureen Schrijvers and Edgardo Alejan finishing in 3:26.95. Ruling the race was Vietnam at 3:19.50 followed by Thailand at 3:26.09, just enough to nose out the Filipinos.
