Eric Cray made the grade for a slot in the World Athletics Championships taking place this month in Budapest, Hungary.

Cray's inclusion will make him the third Filipino to earn the right to compete in the premier trackfest after world No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena and fellow Filipino-American hurdler Robyn Brown, who clinched her spot after winning the women's 400-meter hurdles gold in the 25^th Asian Athletics Championships last month in Thailand.

Cray was able to book a trip to the worlds after earning enough qualification while joining countless sanctioned meets.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association congratulated Cray for his efforts and wished him the best of luck as he will be the first to compete for the Philippines in the competition.

"Eight-time Southeast Asian Games Champion Eric Cray makes it to the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest! Eric was able to amass enough points to barge into the top 40 of the world rankings after earning the Next Best category," PATAFA said in a statement.

"Eric will first see action in his event, 400-m hurdles, on August 20 at 11:25 a.m. (Hungary time)."

Cray also competed in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia last May where he won his sixth-straight gold medal in the event.