VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — Two promising tracksters have made their cases for spots in the national squad that will see action in the Asian Youth Athletics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan slated next year.
Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate and Mico Villaran of Bacolod City won multiple medals in their respective events in the Philippine Sports Commission-Batang Pinoy National Championships held at the Quirino Stadium track oval here taking notice from the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.
“Based on their strong performances they are on top of the shortlisted names,” Patafa secretary general Edward Kho said Wednesday at the close of the weeklong grassroots sports meet.
The two are in great consideration for the country’s delegation to the Asian tourney slated 27 to 30 April 2023.
In the Asian Youth tilt, each entry can participate in two events.
Compuesto, a 15-year-old talent from Masbate Sports Academy, completed a five-gold romp in the girls’ division after claiming the century dash gold she followed with 4×400 relay.
She crossed the 100m run finish line in 13.11 (103) seconds to beat Schenley Ombid of South Cotabato (13.11 (109) secs) and Angel Villagracia of Capiz (13.47 secs). Compuesto’s relay team clocked in at 4:14.96 to best Calamba (4:29.30) and Binan (4:35.77).
The 10th grader earlier won mints in 200m, 400m and 4×100 relay.
Villaran, on the other hand, captured three gold medals in the boys’ 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles and 200m sprint.
Kho said that the two will get the full support of the sports association as they prepare for their international stint.
“We will not pull them out of their respective teams, instead we will empower their coaches through our mentoring system with the help of our national coaches,” Kho explained.
“Our national coaches will collaborate with their local coaches. Whatever they would need we’ll give it to them.”
Compuesto and Villaran will fly to Manila for further training next year.
“At least two weeks prior to them flying out (to Uzbekistan). They will join a training camp in Manila along with their respective coaches.”
