Filipino tracksters are looking to improve their medal haul when they compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) secretary general Jasper Tanhueco said they will deploy a solid squad that is capable of surpassing their previous finish of four gold, 10 silver and eight bronze medals in the 32nd edition of the biennial meet in Cambodia in 2023.
In fact, they trained at the New Clark City in Tarlac with Patafa president Terry Capistrano making sure that all of their nutritional needs are being met.
“Our SEA Games team, I could say it’s in a good place. Many of our local athletes are staying in the training camp in New Clark. So, where they have proper meals and abundance of fruits. That’s really a request of President Terry,” Tanhueco said.
“We’re proud to send a mix of veterans and young talents representing us for the SEA Games. We expect to surpass our previous performance.”
Leading the charge is 30-year-old pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who will enter the prestigious regional meet as the reigning champion and current record holder.
Tanhueco said Obiena, who has three SEA Games gold medals hanging around his neck, will train in China before flying to Bangkok in which he will use the tourney as a warmup even for the Asian Indoor Championship early next year.
“He will have a training camp in China before going to Bangkok. It is also in preparation for the Asian Indoor Championships next year,” Tanhueco said.
“We have several guys that we think will win the gold and silver. But the team is based on their medal potential as well.”
Aside from Obiena, also expected to deliver for the Filipinos are Filipino-foreign hurdlers Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang, Eric Cray and Robyn Brown as well as Filipino-American sprinter Kristina Knott and homegrown long jumper Janry Ubas.