EJ Obiena looks to retain his Asian Games men’s pole vault title while also chasing another record as he headlines the Philippines’ 24-athlete athletics delegation to the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.
Competition for athletics will begin Wednesday at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, with the Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association banking on a deep roster that includes several potential podium finishers.
PATAFA president Terry Capistrano, however, remained cautious about making specific medal projections.
“It’s so difficult to gauge or make any prediction about our medal chances. But we do believe our quality athletes will surprise us,” Capistrano said. “They are really working hard since they arrived here in Nagoya despite the rains. They really conditioned themselves.”
Among those expected to contend are John Cabang Tolentino, Lauren Hoffman, and Victoria Bossong.
Tolentino, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champion in the hurdles, and Hoffman are both Olympians. Meanwhile, Filipino-American Bossong has impressed the PATAFA coaching staff with performances that could put her in contention in the middle-distance events.
(C) POC Media
Obiena enters the competition as the holder of both the Asian and Asian Games records. He cleared 6.00 meters for the continental mark, while his 5.90-meter effort in Hangzhou three years ago established the Games record.
The pole vault star will be joined by Tolentino in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, Hoffman in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, and Bossong in the women’s 800 meters.
The rest of the Philippine delegation includes Yacine Guermali and Sonny Wagdos in the men’s 5,000 meters, with Wagdos also entered in the marathon. Richard Solaño and Artjoy Torregosa will compete in the marathon, while Neil Michael Catral is set for the men’s 200 meters.
In the sprint events, Anfernee Lorena will run the men’s 100 meters, while Jessica Laurence will compete in the women’s 100 meters. Zion Nelson is entered in both the women’s 100m and 200m.
Kristina Knott and Diana Pama will see action in the relays, while Hussein Loraña is entered in the men’s 800 meters and Naomi Johnson in the women’s 200 meters.
Lanz Arcenal and Michael del Prado will compete in the men’s 400 meters.
The delegation also features veterans Janry Ubas in the long jump and Leonard Grospe in the high jump. Gabriel Borado is entered in the 400 meters, Nathaniel Seiler in the marathon race walk, and Frederick Ramirez in the relays. Kent Jardin will compete in the 100 meters and relay events.
“These athletes are all capable of making the final round,” Capistrano said. “Incredibly challenging, so we will take it from there and hopefully podium finishes.”
Most of the Philippine athletics team conducted its final preparations at Nippon Sport Science University from September 14 to 20, with Obiena and Guermali following separate training programs before joining the delegation in Nagoya.
With a mix of established veterans, Olympians, and emerging talents, the Philippines will look to turn its preparations into strong finishes once athletics action gets underway in the Asian Games.
