Prized tracksters EJ Obiena, Robyn Brown and Janry Ubas are setting their sights on the 2023 World Athletics Championships following impressive performances in the Asian Athletics Championships in Pattaya, Thailand last week.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association secretary general Edward Kho said the tracksters are pumped up to see action in the world tourney, especially Obiena who set a new meet record of 5.91 meters to clinch the gold medal in the prestigious Asian event that came to a close on Sunday.
There, however, will be no rest for Obiena as he flew back to Europe to compete in the Monaco Diamond League set on Friday.
“He’s really trying to bring his personal best of six meters and because of that he wants to see himself getting to that level,” Kho said, adding that Obiena is targeting a strong finish in the World Championship that will be held in Budapest from 19 to 27 August.
“From here on, I think that will be his next target.” Aside from Obiena, Brown also submitted a solid performance in the Asian meet after ruling the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a clocking of 57.50 seconds, helping the Philippines forge a tie with Singapore at the sixth spot with two gold medals each.
Kho said Brown’s qualification to the world meet was a pleasant surprise.
He said the federation is hoping that 32nd Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Janry Ubas will also qualify in the biggest athletic meet outside the Olympics before the deadline on 30 July.
After all, Ubas is set to compete in three tourneys either to gain the qualifying points or make the qualifying standard of 8.25 meters.
“I think she (Brown) was not expecting to qualify for World Athletics Championships this early so maybe she will tweak her training,” said Kho referring to Brown, who earned a spot in the world event via wildcard.
