Robyn Brown made history for the Philippines by winning the country’s first medal in the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, capturing the gold in the women’s 400 meters hurdles on Saturday at the Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Fil-American track star had a swift start but had to contend with two Japanese opponents, Utsunomiya Eri and Yamamoto Ami. Brown ultimately outperformed them with a time of 57.60 seconds, just over a second off her personal best of 56.15.
On the men’s side, Eric Cray couldn’t capitalize on his impressive start and faded to finish sixth with a time of 49.76.
In the mixed 4×400 relay, Frederick Ramirez, Jessel Lumapas, Micheal Del Prado, and Maureen Schrijvers set a new Philippine record with a time of 3:22.53. However, this outstanding national achievement was only enough for a sixth-place finish.
Sarah Dequinan made a strong push for a podium spot in the women’s heptathlon but ultimately finished in fifth place with a total of 5,466 points. She scored over 750 points in the last three events, securing third-place finishes in the long jump (5.82 meters) and the 800 meters (2:24.54).
Meanwhile, Janry Ubas finished seventh in the men’s long jump with a best jump of 7.98 meters.
Kristina Knott and 2023 SEA Games champions Umajesty Williams, Del Prado, Joyme Sequita, and Ramirez secured their spots in the respective final rounds on Sunday.
Knott advanced to the women’s 200 meters medal race after finishing fourth in a highly competitive second heat of the semifinals, clocking a time of 23.54 seconds, only 0.03 seconds behind Singapore’s Shanti Pereira. Williams, Del Prado, Sequita, and Ramirez dominated the first heat of Round 1, posting a time of 3:07.40.
The Philippines aims to finish the Championships on a high note on Sunday, led by world No. 3 pole vaulter and 2019 champion EJ Obiena.
